Mariners option Jakubauskas to Triple-A

CLEVELAND (AP)—The Seattle Mariners optioned right-hander Chris Jakubauskas(notes) to Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday and purchased the contract of righty Randy Messenger(notes) from their top minor league club.

Jakubauskas has been bothered by soreness in his right shoulder, leaving the Mariners short a reliever.

“He’s feeling a lot better, but it would be a couple of days until he pitches in a game,” Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. “We don’t want to take that chance right now to be short-handed.”

Jakubauskas was 6-7 with a 5.28 ERA in 32 games, including eight starts. Wakamatsu said Jakubauskas will return to Seattle with the team after Sunday’s game, throw in the bullpen Monday and then report to Tacoma.

“He’ll get a game or two in and we’re looking to bring him right back up,” Wakamatsu said.

Messenger has spent the season at Tacoma, where he recorded 25 saves in 52 appearances. He was 0-2 with a 2.86 ERA.

“Randy’s obviously deserving,” Wakamatsu said. “We need a chance to take a look at him. We’ll see how he fits with the rest of the guys in the bullpen. We’re happy to bring him up at this point.”

Messenger has pitched in the majors in parts of five seasons, compiling a 4-11 record and a 4.90 ERA with one save in 161 appearances, all in relief.

Wakamatsu said he’d like to use Messenger in the seventh or eighth inning.

To make room for Messenger on the 40-man roster Saturday, the Mariners released minor league right-hander Luis Pena.