Mariners Add Patrick Wisdom, Designate Blas Castaño for Assignment

The Mariners have activated infielder Patrick Wisdom from Triple-A and placed Rob Refsnyder on the paternity list. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander Blas Castaño has been designated for assignment.

Wisdom, 34, returns to the majors for the first time since 2024 after a strong season with the Kia Tigers in South Korea. He hit 35 home runs with a 29.2% strikeout rate in 2025, improving slightly from his previous MLB stints. Wisdom has continued his hot form in Triple-A this season, hitting nine home runs in 15 games with a .264/.371/.774 slash line.

Wisdom spent three seasons with the Cubs from 2021 to 2023, hitting at least 23 home runs in each year. However, his strikeout rate remained high, exceeding 34% in each of those seasons. The Mariners are intrigued by his improved approach and his ability to hit for power with better contact.

At the major league level, Wisdom has primarily played third base but has been used as a first baseman and designated hitter this season. With Josh Naylor at first base and a platoon of Rob Refsnyder and Dominic Canzone in the DH role, Wisdom could slot in as a right-handed alternative. His career .223/.298/.480 line and 112 wRC+ against left-handed pitching make him a valuable asset in that role.

Refsnyder is expected to return to the team in a few days as paternity list stints typically last one to three days. If he returns and Wisdom is not needed, the Mariners can send Wisdom back to Triple-A without going through waivers. Wisdom has less than five years of service time and remains optionable.

Blas Castaño, 27, has been on the Mariners’ 40-man roster since November 2024 but has only made one big league appearance. In that outing in May 2024, he allowed three earned runs in three innings. Castaño posted a 5.19 ERA in 126 2/3 Triple-A innings last season with a 17.8% strikeout rate and 9.3% walk rate. He has since moved to the bullpen and has a 1.42 ERA in 6 1/3 innings this season.

Castaño will now enter DFA limbo for up to a week. The Mariners have five days to trade or release him before he can be claimed on waivers. If he clears, he could remain with the club as non-roster depth.

The Mariners will continue to monitor Wisdom’s performance and decide whether to keep him on the active roster or send him back to Triple-A. With the team preparing for a key series against the A’s, manager Scott Servais will evaluate his options on the bench.