SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners are showing interest in Pittsburgh outfielder Starling Marte, according to a report in the Beaver County (Pa.) Times.
The report also said it’s “unclear if the Pirates are willing to part with their left fielder after signing him to a five-year, $31-million contract in spring training.”
The Pirates have a surplus of outfielders — they recently optioned Jose Tabata to Triple-A Indianapolis. The report also says they are interested in Walker and two Tacoma infielders, Nick Franklin and Chris Taylor.
Marte, 25, would, potentially, fill the Mariners’ need for an impact right-handed bat, although he is having a disappointing season: a .255/.328/.385 slash (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage.)
He has five homers and 34 RBI in 86 games. Some attribute his disappointing season to dealing with the deaths of a close friend and his mother-in-law.
More rumors
Add Miami third baseman Casey McGehee to the Mariners’ list of rumors trade targets, according to CBSSports.com.
McGehee, 31, is batting .322 in 97 games for the Marlins. He has 56 RBI despite hitting just two homers and has provided reliable protection in the Miami lineup for All-Star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.
The Mariners, presumably, would shift McGehee to first base, although he has spent time in the outfield. He is signed through the end of the season for $1.1 million, which means roughly $400,000 remains on his deal.
Ack attack
Left fielder Dustin Ackley created a lot of buzz Monday with his catch at the wall that snatched a homer away from Travis d’Arnaud of the Mets.
What drew far less attention is he had three hits, which continued his July surge. Ackley is 18-for-50 through Monday, a .360 rate that has his overall average up to .239 from season-low .214.
“The last five-six-seven games,” he said, “I’ve felt pretty good. The results are there, too. That always helps build the confidence, for sure.”
That confidence likely needed a boost, too, after Ackley closed June in a 0-for-21 slide. What changed?
“I think just staying on balls,” he said. “Lately, I’ve been working up the middle. And pitches away, I’ve been hitting to left field. That’s really important, especially when you’re getting pitched that way.”
Jackson injured
Rookie Peoria outfielder Alex Jackson, the Mariners’ top pick in the June draft, suffered a small fracture in the left cheek when hit in the face by a fly ball in Monday’s 5-3 victory over the Rangers at Surprise, Ariz.
Jackson, 18, suffered the injury when he lost the ball in the lights while attempting to make a sliding catch. Club officials say the injury isn’t believed to be serious but acknowledge there is no timetable for his return.
A converted catcher, Jackson received a $4.2 million signing bonus as the sixth overall pick in the draft. He is batting .289 in 20 games at Peoria with two homers and 15 RBI.
Heart and Hustle
Third baseman Kyle Seager is the Mariners’ nominee for the Heart and Hustle Award, which is given annually since 2005 by the Major League Baseball Players Association.
The award seeks to recognize players for the passion they show in embodying the game’s values and tradition. An overall winner will be announced in November.
Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia was the 2013 winner.
Short hops
The Mariners carried a 53-46 record into Tuesday’s game, which was their 100th of the season. The last time they reached trip figures with a winning record was 2009 at 52-48. … The Mariners are 26-16 against opponents who were .500 or better when they played them.
Looking back
It was two years ago Wednesday — July 23, 2012 — that the Mariners traded outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to the New York Yankees for right-handed pitchers Danny Farquhar and D.J. Mitchell.
The deal occurred on the day the Yankees were at Safeco Field to open a three-game series. Suzuki walked down the hall, donned uniform No. 31 and batted eighth against his former club.
Suzuki lined a single to center in his first at-bat, against Kevin Millwood, and finished 1-for-4 in the Yankees’ 4-1 victory.
On tap
The Mariners and Mets conclude their three-game series at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday at Safeco Field.
Right-hander Taijuan Walker (1-1 with a 3.60) will be recalled from Tacoma to face New York veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon (8-8, 4.12). Root Sports will broadcast the game.
The Baltimore Orioles arrive Thursday for a four-game weekend series.
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