Mariners Designate Ryan Loutos For Assignment

Roster move made to accommodate Colt Emerson's contract extension

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:40pm

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A conceptual illustration using muted, earthy tones to depict the administrative challenges of roster management in professional baseball, without any text or identifiable elements.The Mariners' designation of Ryan Loutos reflects the constant roster juggling required in Major League Baseball.Seattle Today

The Seattle Mariners have designated relief pitcher Ryan Loutos for assignment, a corresponding move to make room on the 40-man roster for Colt Emerson's recently announced contract extension. Loutos, a 27-year-old right-hander, has yet to appear in a regular season game for the Mariners after being claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals earlier this offseason.

Why it matters

Roster management is a constant challenge for MLB teams, especially when juggling 40-man roster spots. The Mariners had to create space for Emerson's new deal, leading to Loutos being designated for assignment and potentially being claimed by another organization or electing free agency.

The details

Loutos, an undrafted free agent, has appeared in 15 career MLB games across stints with the Cardinals, Dodgers and Nationals. He has struggled with a 5.00 ERA and more walks than strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings at the big league level. The Mariners will now have five days to trade Loutos, place him on waivers, or release him.

  • On March 31, the Mariners announced they had designated Loutos for assignment.
  • On April 2, the Mariners officially requested release waivers on Loutos, who is currently sidelined with an undisclosed injury.

The players

Ryan Loutos

A 27-year-old right-handed relief pitcher who has spent parts of four seasons in Triple-A and made 15 career MLB appearances with the Cardinals, Dodgers and Nationals.

Colt Emerson

A Mariners prospect who recently signed a contract extension, requiring the team to clear a 40-man roster spot.

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What’s next

The Mariners have five days to either trade Loutos, place him on waivers, or release him. If he clears waivers, he could re-sign with the Mariners on a minor league deal.

The takeaway

This move highlights the constant roster juggling required in MLB, where teams must balance developing prospects while also managing their 40-man roster. Loutos' designation is an unfortunate byproduct of the Mariners' need to accommodate Emerson's contract extension.