Just hours before Jarred Kelenic was set to face the Mets team that drafted him sixth overall in the 2018 draft, the outfielder was sent down by the Seattle Mariners on Friday afternoon.
The Mariners, who start a three-game series with the Mets at Citi Field beginning on Friday night, announced a string of roster moves this afternoon, including sending Kelenic to Triple-A Tacoma.
Kelenic, 22, was the key piece acquired by Seattle in the blockbuster 2018 trade that brought Edwin Diaz and the since-released Robinson Cano to Queens.
But his time in the majors has been anything but smooth sailing. Making his big league debut exactly one year ago, Kelenic has struggled mightily at the plate, slashing .173/.256/.338 with 17 home runs, 53 RBI and 142 strikeouts in 473 plate appearances. He was hitting just .140 through 30 games this season before being sent down.
The Mariners come into Citi Field with a 14-18 record to face a Mets club with an NL-best 22 wins. While Diaz will get a chance to face his former squad, Kelenic will have to wait a bit longer before facing the team that called his name during the draft four years ago.