"Matt Tuiasosopo, a third-round draft pick in 2004 and a member of one of the most decorated families in the Puget Sound area, was released Thursday by the Mariners.

They made the move to clear space on the 40-man roster, necessitated by the addition of September call-up Cesar Jimenez, a left-handed reliever.

Tuiasosopo, 25, spent parts of the 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons with the Mariners, playing 71 games and hitting just .176, with five home runs and 15 runs batted in. He played all four infield positions, left field and DH for the Mariners, and though his offensive numbers weren't good, his athletic ability continued to make him an intriguing prospect.

He was a high-school All-American quarterback at Woodinville High School and was headed to the University of Washington, like his brother, Marques, until the Mariners drafted him.

This year, the Mariners sent Tuiasosopo down during spring training. In 116 games with Tacoma, he hit .226 with 20 doubles, six triples, 14 homers and 77 RBI."