SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners designated Greg Holland, a three-time All-Star reliever, for assignment Tuesday. Texas RangersAfter allowing three homers in his five appearances this year,
Holland, 36, was named to the opening-day roster on a minor league contract. He had a 7.71 ERA over his 4 1/3 innings of pitched. Holland struck out five batters and walked one.
Texas made the move in Seattle before its Seattle game, freeing up a spot on the roster for No. 1 starter Jon GrayTo be activated on the injured list to begin the series opener against Mariners. Gray signed a $46 million, four year deal with Texas in December last year. This was after his seven first big league seasons with Colorado.
Gray began the Rangers’ season opener, facing nine batters in three innings at Toronto on April 8. Gray then allowed three runs in the fourth and final innings before he was relieved by a blister on the right side of his finger. Gray, a right-hander, was given a no-decision. He was placed on the 10-day injured roster the next day. Tuesday was his first day of activation.
Holland was able to save eight games and had a 4.85 ERA over 57 innings last season for Kansas City. He also recorded 8.57 strikeouts in nine innings and a.229 opponent batting record. The Royals were his second stint, Holland spent the two seasons with them.
The base salary for his contract with Rangers was $2.1 million. He was an AL All-Star for the Royals in 2013-14, and an NL All-Star for Colorado in 2017.