La Stella was released by the Mariners on Thursday.
La Stella passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment Tuesday and is now officially a free agent. The 34-year-old utility infielder was slashing just .190/.292/.238 through 24 plate appearances this season for Seattle. He also struggled with the Giants in 2022.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Moved off 40-man roster
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The Mariners designated La Stella for assignment Tuesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for right-hander Bryce Miller, whose contract was selected from Double-A Arkansas ahead of his MLB debut Tuesday versus the Athletics. La Stella began the season as Seattle's top designated hitter, but he hit just .190 with a .530 OPS and no home runs over 24 plate appearances. He could report to Triple-A Tacoma once he clears waivers, but La Stella has the right to refuse an assignment.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Not in lineup Wednesday
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La Stella is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.
La Stella got the start as the designated hitter Tuesday in the loss to the Cubs, finishing 0-for-4 with a strikeout. The veteran infielder has gone just 1-for-13 (.077) with a .231 OPS to open the season. Cooper Hummel will hit eighth as the DH for Wednesday's game against right-hander Marcus Stroman.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Fading into limited role
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La Stella remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.
Since serving as the Mariners' starting designated hitter in two of the first three contests, the lefty-hitting La Stella has now remained out of the lineup for four straight days, even while Seattle has faced two right-handed starting pitchers over that stretch. AJ Pollock, who slugged two home runs and drove in five in Tuesday's 11-2 win, will get a turn at DH on Wednesday and may have overtaken La Stella as the Mariners' preferred option at that spot against both right- and left-handed pitching.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Takes seat Sunday
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La Stella is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.
The Mariners have faced four consecutive right-handed starting pitchers to begin the 2023 season, with the lefty-hitting La Stella serving as Seattle's designated hitter on two occasions. La Stella, who has gone 1-for-6 with a double between his two starts, may be in store for only a part-time role until he produces well enough at the plate to warrant more consistent opportunities.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Doubles in shutout loss
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La Stella went 1-for-3 with a double in a loss to the Guardians on Saturday.
The veteran slotted into the designated hitter role and was the only other Mariners player besides Julio Rodriguez to hit safely. La Stella was also responsible for Seattle's only extra-base hit of the night, which also marked his first knock in his new digs.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Encouraging showing Sunday
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La Stella played five innings at third base and went 2-for-3 in Sunday's Cactus League tie with the Padres.
Three days after getting work in the field at first base, La Stella tested his previously strained shoulder with work at the hot corner and seemingly came away without setbacks. The veteran appears to be nearing or at full health heading into Opening Day as he prepares to fill a utility role during the coming season.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Getting infield work Friday
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La Stella (shoulder) will partake in pregame work at third base before Friday's Cactus League game, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.
La Stella was able to play first base Thursday against the Reds, and he's able to get some work at third in for the first time since developing some shoulder irritation. The veteran infielder is expected to be a utility player for Seattle in 2023, and he could get reps at designated hitter if his return to full defensive duties is delayed.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Will play in field Thursday
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La Stella (shoulder) will play in the field during Thursday's Cactus League game against the Reds, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
La Stella has been limited to DH duties because right shoulder irritation during this spring. The veteran infielder is expected to serve as a utility player for the Mariners in 2023, and he could be looking at more consistent playing time with Dylan Moore (oblique) starting the year on the injured list.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Could play in field next week
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La Stella (shoulder) could play in the field Wednesday for Seattle's Cactus League game against the Dodgers, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.
La Stella has been dealing with right shoulder irritation this spring and has been limited to DH opportunities thus far. The 34-year-old infielder is expected to serve in a utility role, and the injury to Dylan Moore (oblique) could open up more playing time for La Stella to begin the 2023 campaign.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Still 7-to-10 days away from field
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La Stella (shoulder) won't be ready to play the field for another 7-to-10 days, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.
Considering that Opening Day is just 16 days away for the Mariners, La Stella is going to be cutting it close in regards to his ability to avoid a stint on the injured list. He has been able to serve as a designated hitter, as his right shoulder irritation bothers him only when throwing. However, Mariners manager Scott Servais has said that La Stella will have to show he can play the field before the team includes him on the Opening Day roster.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Set for DH duty Thursday
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La Stella (shoulder) will serve as the Mariners' designated hitter during Thursday's exhibition versus Team Canada, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.
La Stella has been battling right shoulder irritation since early on in camp and still isn't doing any throwing in on-field drills. The Mariners still seem hopeful that La Stella will be ready for Opening Day, but he'll need to show he can play some defense first. "Everything's tracking for him to be fine," manager Scott Servais said. "We certainly want to get him in the game. We're not looking for him to play defensively every day. But he certainly needs to be an option when we open the season."
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Shoulder still sore
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La Stella will miss at least another 10 days with right shoulder soreness, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
The first announcement of La Stella's arm issues -- which came Feb. 24 -- suggested he'd miss less than a week, but this is clearly a larger issue for the veteran infielder. Assuming he spends most of his time at second base or designated hitter, La Stella shouldn't need too much time to ramp up for the regular season once his shoulder improves.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Nursing arm soreness
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La Stella will be sidelined for 5-6 days due to right arm soreness, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.
La Stella had been slated to serve as the Mariners' designated hitter during Friday's Cactus League opener, but his injury has scuttled those plans. He'll have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day, but it's not ideal for a guy who has dealt with plenty of injury issues the last couple years.
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Mariners' Tommy La Stella: Joining Seattle
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La Stella signed a one-year contract with the Mariners on Thursday.
La Stella spent the past two seasons with the Giants and battled various injuries during his time with the club. He played in just 60 games last year and slashed .239/.282/.350 with two homers, 17 runs and 14 RBI but will attempt to bounce back during his age-34 season. La Stella missed the end of 2022 with neck spasms but should be ready for spring training in February.
La Stella is owed $11.5 million in 2023, so it's no surprise he went through waivers unclaimed after the Giants designated him for assignment in December. The veteran infielder managed just a .677 OPS over two seasons in San Francisco while battling a multitude of injuries. He should get another shot elsewhere now that he can be had for the veteran minimum.
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Giants' Tommy La Stella: Pushed off 40-man roster
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The Giants designated La Stella (neck) for assignment Wednesday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
La Stella will cede his spot on the 40-man roster to reliever Taylor Rogers, whom the Giants signed to a three-year, $33 million deal. After inking a three-year, $19.5 million contract with San Francisco in January 2021 with the expectation that he would be a productive strong-side platoon infielder, La Stella struggled to stay healthy in first two seasons in the Bay Area, appearing in just 136 of a possible 324 games. He performed as a below-average hitter on the rare occasions he was available, slashing a collective .245/.297/.380 (86 wRC+) in 437 plate appearances. Given that La Stella's defensive metrics have been trending down in recent seasons and his poor health makes him difficult to rely upon heading into his age-34 campaign, the Giants didn't see him as a fit on the 2023 roster. Assuming La Stella goes unclaimed off waivers, he could choose to elect free agency and pursue an opportunity elsewhere.
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Giants' Tommy La Stella: Hasn't resumed baseball activities
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La Stella (neck) said Saturday that he hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
La Stella landed on the injured list with neck spasms Monday but hopes to return to action prior to the end of the regular season. However, a better idea for his return timetable is unlikely to be revealed until he's cleared for baseball activities.
