Mariners lose Schugel to Pirates in waiver claim

SEATTLE — Right-handed pitcher A.J. Schugel’s time with the Mariners turned into an off-season footnote Tuesday when he was selected by Pittsburgh in a waiver claim.

The Mariners acquired Schugel, 26, from Arizona in a Dec. 16 waiver claim but designated him for assignment on Jan. 12 in order to clear space on their 40-man roster after obtaining right-hander Joe Wieland from the Dodgers in a trade.

Schugel made his big-league debut last season by giving up five earned runs over nine innings in five relief appearances for the Diamondbacks. He also made 21 minor-league starts and went 9-9 with a 4.84 ERA.

The Mariners acquired Wieland, who turns 26 on Thursday, in a trade for minor-league infielder Erick Mejia. Since Mejia was not on the 40-man roster, the trade required the club to make a corresponding space-clearing move.

Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Mariners lose Schugel to Pirates in waiver claim."