Zulueta was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday. Zulueta was traded to Seattle from the Reds in January, and he was able to produce a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 10 strikeouts over seven innings in eight appearances with the Mariners during spring training. The right-hander struggled to a 6.14 ERA over 7.1 innings in seven appearances out of the bullpen with Cincinnati in 2025. He'll look to get into a groove at Tacoma in an attempt to get another shot with the Mariners' major-league roster this season.
The Reds traded Zulueta to the Mariners on Thursday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports. After being DFA'd by the Reds earlier in the day, Zulueta will recapture a 40-man roster spot upon joining his new club. The 27-year-old righty allowed five earned runs in just 7.1 regular-season innings with the Reds during 2025 but finished with a 3.28 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 60.1 frames in Triple-A. He's likely ticketed to begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Tacoma.
The Reds designated Zulueta for assignment Thursday. The move frees up a 40-man roster spot for the addition of Pierce Johnson, whose signing was made official Thursday. Zulueta has made 19 relief appearances over the last two seasons with the Reds, collecting a 5.32 ERA and 25:11 K:BB across 23.2 frames. The righty will turn 28 next week and stands a good chance of passing through waivers unclaimed.