Mariners Move On From Yosver Zulueta, Trade Reliever to Cubs
The Seattle Mariners have officially ended their brief stint with right-handed reliever Yosver Zulueta, trading him to the Chicago Cubs shortly after designating him for assignment. What initially appeared to be another low-risk pitching acquisition by Seattle ultimately failed to produce the desired results, leading the organization to move on after only a few months.
Zulueta joined the Mariners in January as part of a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. Seattle sent minor league pitcher Dusty Revis to Cincinnati in exchange for the hard-throwing reliever. The move fit a familiar pattern for the Mariners, who have frequently targeted pitchers with strong raw talent and major league experience in hopes of unlocking their potential through player development.
However, Zulueta never gained enough momentum within the organization to earn consideration for a call-up to Seattle’s major league bullpen. He spent the entire season with Triple-A Tacoma, where inconsistency continued to be a major issue. Across 22 appearances, he posted a 5.75 ERA over 20.1 innings. While the results were disappointing, there were still flashes of the talent that has kept teams interested in him throughout his professional career.
One of Zulueta’s biggest strengths remains his ability to generate strikeouts. He recorded a strikeout rate of 9.4 per nine innings while consistently showcasing premium velocity. His fastball averaged more than 96 mph and has been known to reach triple digits, giving him the type of arm strength that organizations covet. Unfortunately, command issues have repeatedly prevented him from translating that impressive stuff into sustained success.
The Cuban-born pitcher originally signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2019. After progressing through Toronto’s system, he was claimed by the Reds in March 2024 and eventually made his major league debut. Over parts of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, he appeared in the majors and logged 23.2 innings. Despite his electric arsenal, he struggled to establish himself as a dependable option, leading to his move to Seattle earlier this year.
Now, Zulueta gets another opportunity with a new organization. The Cubs will attempt to help him refine his command and harness the potential that has made him an intriguing arm for several teams. The timing is particularly interesting, as Chicago is set to host the Blue Jays in an upcoming series. Should Zulueta earn a promotion, it would create a unique full-circle moment against the organization where his professional journey began.
Seattle designated Zulueta for assignment on June 10 as part of several roster changes. The Mariners reinstated Miles Mastrobuoni from the 60-day injured list, placed Matt Brash on the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain, optioned Ryan Bliss to the minors, and recalled Domingo González.
From Seattle’s perspective, the decision was relatively straightforward. The Mariners place a strong emphasis on pitchers consistently getting ahead in counts and limiting free passes. While Zulueta’s elite velocity remains appealing, his ongoing struggles with control made it difficult for him to fit into the club’s long-term plans. The Cubs will now see if they can unlock the potential that Seattle could not.
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