Mariners release former All-Star outfielder Haniger

The Seattle Mariners announced Sunday they released outfielder Mitch Haniger, making him a free agent.

Haniger, 34, has been sidelined since early March with shoulder soreness. He's owed $15.5 million this year as part of the three-year contract he signed with the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2023 season.

Seattle is on the hook for the entirety of his 2025 salary.

"Putting on a Mariners uniform and playing at T-Mobile Park is something I’ll cherish forever," Haniger said in a statement obtained by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com.

"To our fans, my teammates, and everyone a part of this organization, thank you for embracing my family and me. We have so many great memories to look back on."

Haniger hit .208/.286/.334 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs across 121 games in 2024. It was his first season back with the Mariners after they reacquired him in a trade with the Giants.

The right-handed hitter was productive during his first stint with the Mariners, earning an All-Star nod in 2018 and hitting 39 home runs in 2021.

Haniger has played just 239 games since 2022.