The Mariners have claimed right-hander Nolan Kingham off waivers from the Rangers, according to announcements from both clubs. Texas had designated him for assignment last week. Seattle had multiple 40-man vacancies and have sent Kingham to Triple-A Tacoma, so no corresponding move was required.
Kingham, 29, just got his first major league call-up. Not so long ago, he was in the Mexican League. Drafted by Atlanta in 2018, he was released in March of 2024 and headed south of the border to pitch for Sultanes de Monterrey. He was still with that club at the start of the 2026 season. He posted a 1.82 earned run average in six starts to begin this year, which was enough for the Rangers to bring him aboard on a minor league deal.
He then reported to Triple-A Round Rock and threw 46 1/3 innings over 11 appearances. His 6.99 ERA in that time obviously doesn’t look great but that came in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His 21.5% strikeout rate, 8.3% walk rate and 41.7% ground ball rate were all average-ish figures. The era was inflated by a .344 batting average on balls in play and 62.3% strand rate. The Rangers called him up at the start of this month. He was able to make one big league appearance, allowing one run in one inning.
For the Mariners, there’s little harm in a claim. As mentioned, they had multiple roster spots available. They just subtracted from their rotation by trading out Luis Castillo. They still have a strong quintet of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Bryce Miller and Emerson Hancock. They also have prospects Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan waiting in the wings. But if they want someone for a spot start or a long relief role, Casey Lawrence just opted out of his minor league deal. Kingham has a full slate of options and can be stashed in Tacoma well into the future if he keeps hanging onto his 40-man spot.
Photo courtesy of Andrew Dieb, Imagn Images
