Seattle Mariners Claim Reliever Hagen Danner Off Waivers From Toronto Blue Jays
The Seattle Mariners entered the offseason with clear needs in the infield. Specifically second and third base.
The offense was undoubtedly the biggest weakness of the Mariners in 2024. But the bullpen wasn't too far behind.
Fans have been patiently waiting through weeks of inactivity, speculation and rumors for Seattle to make a move. And the club finally did on Jan. 8. Just not the one a lot of fans would have expected.
According to a news release sent out by the team, the Mariners claimed right-handed relief pitcher Hagen Danner off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. The addition leaves Seattle with 39 players on its 40-man roster.
Danner was drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft by the Blue Jays out of high school. After four years in development leagues, he made his professional debut in Toronto's minor league organization in 2021.
Across the last two seasons in 2023 and 2024, Danner made 56 appearances with the organization's Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons. In 2023, he had a 3.81 ERA across 23 outings with 35 strikeouts in 28.1 innings pitched.
In 2024, Danner registered a 3.15 ERA and fanned 34 batters in 34.1 innings pitched in 33 appearances. He allowed a .192 opposing batting average in 2023 and a .244 opposing batting average in 2024.
Danner has made one major league appearance in his career. He threw 0.1 inning against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 11, 2023, and forced an out after a seven-pitch at-bat.
Hagen Danner spent most of his year in AAA in ‘24:
— Kick Dirt Baseball (@KickDirtBB) January 8, 2025
• Hard SL that struggles generating whiff.
• 96 mph 4-seamer.
• Hardly-used CV, could possibly develop CH or sweeper.
Makes sense M’s like him. Stays in zone, good velo, potential to add pic.twitter.com/Bws2LvBRTp
Danner will likely have a chance to fill one of the openings in the front-end of the Mariners bullpen. Seattle non-tendered JT Chargois and Austin Voth earlier in the offseason.
Related Stories on Seattle Mariners
MARINERS LOSE OUT ON ANOTHER POTENTIAL TARGET, AMED ROSARIO: The veteran utility player opted to sign with the Washington Nationals on a cheap one-year, $2 million deal. CLICK HERE
RODRIGUEZ NAMED TOP CENTER FIELDER BY MLB NETWORK: The face of the Seattle Mariners was named as the best center fielder in the league in MLB Network's "Top 10 right now" series. CLICK HERE
LATEST SASAKI UPDATE FAVORABLE FOR MARINERS: The Seattle Mariners might not be out of the running for the Japanese ace according to a recent report. CLICK HERE
Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.
