Mariners option Luis Sardinas to Triple-A, recall utility man Shawn O’Malley

Shawn O’Malley is back in a Seattle Mariners uniform.

The native of Richland, Washington, was recalled on Sunday from Triple-A Tacoma to fill the roster spot left vacant by infielder Luis Sardinas, who was optioned to Tacoma following Saturday’s 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

O’Malley, a 28-year-old, switch-hitting utility player, said he hopes to fill the same role he did in 25 games this season with the Rainiers.

Actually, make that roles, plural.

“I’ve been everywhere,” O’Malley said in the Mariners’ clubhouse prior to Sunday’s game. “Short, second, third. I think the only position I haven’t played is first and catcher. But I don’t think I’ve spent more than two nights in a row in the same spot, so hopefully I can add some versatility to this lineup and help this team win.”

Indeed, O’Malley started 11 games at second base, five at shortstop, two at third base, four in left field and three in right during his stint with Tacoma, where he posted a .317 batting average, good for third on the team. He batted ninth and started in center field for Seattle on Sunday.

O’Malley made his Mariners debut last season, appearing in 24 games and batting .262 in 57 plate appearances. He was one of Seattle’s top performers this spring, hitting .471 with an on-base plus slugging (OPS) percentage of 1.267.

Servais said the club sent Sardinas to Tacoma so that he could play more often. Sardinas had appeared in only 12 games for the Mariners this season, and has just four hits in 27 plate appearances (and a batting average of .154).

“He’s done a nice job while he got a chance to play, but he just hasn’t played,” Servais said. “He needs to get out and get playing and try to get some timing back so when we do call him back, he can add more to our team.”

This story was originally published May 15, 2016 at 1:16 PM with the headline "Mariners option Luis Sardinas to Triple-A, recall utility man Shawn O’Malley."