Mariners Claim OF Canaan Smith-Njigba off Waivers from Pittsburgh
RHP Darren McCaughan designated for assignment in corresponding move
SEATTLE, Wash. — Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander announced today the following roster moves:
· Canaan Smith-Njigba, OF, claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh.
· Darren McCaughan, RHP, designated for assignment.
The Mariners Major League, 40-man roster remains full at 40 players.
Smith-Njigba (KAY-nin smith-in-JIG-buh), 24, appeared in 15 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023, going 4-for-32 with a double, triple and 5 RBI in a pair of stints with the big league club. In 105 games with Triple-A Indianapolis last season, the left-handed hitting outfielder hit .280 (109x389) with 57 runs, 28 doubles, 1 triple, 15 home runs, 74 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 53 walks.
Smith-Njigba was originally selected by the New York Yankees in the 4th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Rockwall-Heath High School (TX). He was traded by New York-AL, along with minor leaguers Maikol Escotto, Roansy Contreras and Miguel Yajure to Pittsburgh in exchange for RHP Jameson Taillon on Jan. 24, 2021. Smith-Njigba made his Major League debut with the Pirates on June 14, 2022 at St. Louis, recording a double as a pinch-hitter in game one of a doubleheader.
Canaan is the older brother of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (age 21), who recorded 63 receptions, 628 receiving yards and 4 touchdown receptions in his 2023 rookie season for Seattle.
McCaughan (mih-CACK-en), 27, made 3 relief appearances with Seattle in 2023, going 0–0 with a 5.40 ERA (3 ER, 5.0 IP). The right-hander made 25 starts with Triple-A Tacoma, going 7–8 with a 5.83 ERA (90 ER, 139.0 IP) with 44 walks and 130 strikeouts.
McCaughan was drafted by Seattle in the 12th round of the 2017 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Long Beach State (CA). The Los Alamitos, California native has appeared in 5 Major League games (one start), all with Seattle (2021, ‘23). He is 0–0 with a 7.07 ERA (11 ER, 14.0 IP) with 7 walks and 12 strikeouts.
