Despite being one of the top prospects in the Seattle Mariners' farm system and receiving a call-up last season, Michael Saunders has been optioned to Triple-A, reports Doug Miller of MLB.com. There was likely little Saunders could have done to earn a roster spot this spring, as the Mariners brought in Milton Bradley and Eric Byrnes in the off-season and retained the services of Ken Griffey, Jr.
Saunders has a .922 OPS in a half-season in Triple-A in 2009, but struggled during his major league call-up, batting only .221 and striking out 40 times in 122 at-bats.
