Rob Refsnyder has been placed on the paternity list for the birth of his third child, prompting the Seattle Mariners to select Patrick Wisdom from Tacoma. Wisdom, who leads MiLB with nine home runs, will join the team to bolster their right-handed hitting options.
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Rob Refsnyder #30 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Peoria Stadium on March 13, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
PEORIA, ARIZONA - MARCH 13: Rob Refsnyder #30 of the Seattle Mariners warms up before a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Peoria Stadium on March 13, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
For those of you who have been clamoring to see Patrick Wisdom, rejoice. Mariners GM Justin Hollander today announced that Rob Refsnyder is headed to the paternity list for the birth of his third child. With the lineup desperately lacking righty hitting, the Mariners are bypassing recently-extended top prospect Colt Emerson for now and instead selecting righty-hitting Patrick Wisdom from Tacoma.
Wisdom, 34, has been off to a hot start to the season, currently leading all of MiLB with nine home runs. A true three true outcome player, Wisdom won’t help the Mariners solve their strikeout issues, but he’s been thumping the ball with regularity in Tacoma and will provide a solid counterpoint to the Luke Raley/Dominic Canzone parts of the lineup. Wisdom’s defensive home is a little more of a challenge, as he’s limited to first base, currently occupied by Josh Naylor, and with outfielder and fellow righty Victor Robles still on the shelf with no timetable for a return, that does make things somewhat dicey defensively.
Meanwhile, Refsnyder will get a mental break after a rough start to his season. The 35-year-old has only gotten in to eight games so far this season, but is still looking for his first hit after being brought in this off-season to balance a lefty-heavy lineup.
Wisdom is not in the lineup tonight as the team faces righty Michael King to open the three-game set with San Diego.
To make room for Wisdom on the 40-man roster, the Mariners DFA’d RHP Blas Castaño. A contact manager more than a strikeout pitcher who stands a generously listed five-foot-ten, Castaño has been with the Mariners since 2024. He’s likely return to Tacoma on waivers unless another team is tempted by his shiny ERA of 1.42.
Q&A
Why is Rob Refsnyder on the paternity list?
Rob Refsnyder is on the paternity list due to the birth of his third child.
What impact will Patrick Wisdom have on the Mariners' lineup?
Patrick Wisdom is expected to provide right-handed hitting support, having led MiLB with nine home runs, although he may not address the team's strikeout issues.
How has Rob Refsnyder performed this season before going on the paternity list?
Rob Refsnyder has struggled this season, appearing in eight games without recording a hit.
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