Smith was used in the eighth inning of Wednesday's loss to the Rockies, but manager Lloyd McClendon suggested after the game he was simply using the right-hander for tactical reasons and isn't planning on removing him from the closer role, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports. "I had a plan for Carson, and it was one hitter and that was it," McClendon said. "He really wasn't available, but I thought if we needed one out for him in a big situation we would use him."

Smith probably could have used a rest after appearing in three of the past four days, but it's hard to argue McClendon's decision to turn to his top reliever midway through the eighth inning. With the Mariners holding a 5-3 lead and the Rockies bringing the tying run to the plate with one out and a runner on, Smith needed only four pitches to induce an inning-ending double-play to end the threat. Any question of Smith's job security as the Mariners' closer was then probably eliminated later on in the ninth, when former closer Fernando Rodney gave up two runs to blow the save and send the game to extras.

Smith claimed his 10th save of the season in Monday's win over the Rockies, but navigated around a bumpy ninth inning in which he allowed a run on three hits.

On the heels of a three-game losing streak during which he was charged for one blown save, Smith didn't exactly back up manager Lloyd McClendon's vote of confidence with Monday's performance. Though he eventually recorded a strikeout and fly out with the tying runner at third base to fend off the Rockies' rally, Smith's unsettling performances of late could put his role as the club's closer in question. He'll retain the job title for now, but look for him to pick up some rest if a save situation arises Tuesday, as he's been used in each of the last three days.

Smith allowed two earned runs in 0.2 innings of ninth-inning work, blowing a save opportunity in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Twins.

After Fernando Rodney blew his fifth save of the season on July 25, Seattle's closer situation has become a murky mess. Rodney set up Smith in Minnesota in the eighth inning, but Smith blew the 2-1 lead, picking up his second blown save of the year.

Smith failed to record an out Saturday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks to take his third loss of the season.

Fernando Rodney gave up two runs of his own in the eighth inning to knot the score before Smith came on in the ninth to add more gasoline to the fire, so the disastrous outing probably didn't hurt Smith's standing as the Mariners' closer. His ERA for July now stands at 4.66, but a 15:4 K:BB ratio in 9.2 innings on the month suggests that's more a product of bad luck than anything else.

Smith recorded a four-out save Tuesday at Detroit for his eighth save of the season. He walked one and struck out one.

Smith entered with one on after Fernando Rodney had already allowed a run in the eighth inning. He promptly ended that threat and then issued a walk in the ninth before retiring the side. The Mariners haven't made it "official," but Smith is the closer for all intents and purposes. The way Rodney is pitching (one run allowed in five of his last six appearances), Smith would really have to implode to give up the job.

Smith gave up a run on one hit, but struck out two Saturday to pick up his seventh save of the season.

As long as the K's keep coming and Fernando Rodney keeps coughing up runs, Smith figures to maintain his hold on the Mariners' closer job.

Smith will continue to get save opportunities despite Fernando Rodney being called upon in the ninth inning Friday, as the role will continue to be situational, the Seattle Times reports.

Manager Lloyd McClendon said he used Smith in the eighth inning Friday against the Angels' Albert Pujols and Mike Trout because he wanted to use his best reliever in the most important spot of the game. Kudos to McClendon for not managing by the save rule. Smith, Rodney, Charlie Furbush and Mark Lowe could see save chances based on matchups and situations. Eventually, though, McClendon said he'd like to see Rodney return to ninth-inning duty. "That's my hope," Mclendon said. "But I don't know if that's going to happen or when it's going to happen. For right now, we'll keep doing what we're doing."

Smith got two outs in the eighth inning Friday in Anaheim, while Fernando Rodney came on in the ninth and recorded the save.

This could simply be a managerial decision by Lloyd McClendon to get Smith in the game against Mike Trout and Albert Pujols (who both reached base against him before an inning-ending double play), or it could signal a return to closing for Rodney. Smith's certainly done nothing to lose the job, recording five saves without blowing any since he was moved into the role in early June, but his owners would do well to monitor this situation closely.

Smith struck out one during a perfect ninth inning Friday against the Astros to earn his fourth save of the season.

The 25-year-old lowered his ERA to 1.59 on the season and earned his fourth save in four attempts. Smith appears to be in firm control of the closer's role for Seattle and should be the top option in save situations for the foreseeable future.

Parker was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday.

Parker saw three straight starts in right field due to injuries to both Hunter Pence and Gregor Blanco, but will was then replaced by Justin Maxwell, and has now lost his spot on the 25-man roster with Blanco's return. Parker will now rejoin Triple-A Sacramento and await another big league opportunity.

Parker will start his third straight game in right field Monday against the Mariners, Alex Pavlovic of the CSN Bay Area reports.

With Hunter Pence (wrist) and Gregor Blanco (concussion) on the shelf, it appears Parker is manager Bruce Bochy's preferred option in right field over Justin Maxwell. Parker has gone 1-for-6 with four strikeouts in his first two games in the majors and remains deployed in a bottom-third spot in the lineup, limiting his value in the short term until he starts providing hits with more regularity.

Parker went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts Saturday in his first MLB start.

He was buried in the No. 8 spot in the lineup Saturday night against Arizona right-hander Allen Webster. Parker figures to handle the role of Gregor Blanco in the short term while Blanco is on the 7-day DL with a concussion.

Parker was recalled to the majors Friday, CBS Sports reports.

In 220 plate appearances so far in triple-a Sacramento, Parker is averaging a .268 average, with an OPS of .895. He will add depth to the Giants' outfield while teammate Gregor Blanco is on the concussion DL.

Smith got the ninth-inning call Friday instead of embattled closer Fernando Rodney, earning his first career save with a perfect inning.

Manager Lloyd McClendon said after the game that Rodney, who has allowed runs in nine of his last 13 appearances, would get some time off to work on his mechanics. Smith likely will see more save chances, but McClendon said other relievers will get ninth-inning work too. Smith is the closer-in-waiting to own, though, as he has a sinking fastball that gets groundouts, a sidearm slider for right-handers and a plus changeup he likes to use on lefties.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon is sticking with Fernando Rodney as the closer and doesn't yet believe that Smith is an alternative.

This despite Rodney's blown save Tuesday and general poor results this season. "I don't have that guy right now," McClendon said of alternatives. "I know people point to Carson Smith, but he's a young kid. We have to be careful with him, particularly with his innings and back-to-back-to-back [appearances]. I'm not sure he can do that. I think his velocity goes down quite a bit. He's one of those young men that still doesn't have his man muscles, so to speak. He needs to mature and continue to develop."

With Danny Farquhar having been demoted to Triple-A on Monday, Smith is now the unchallenged second chair behind embattled closer Fernando Rodney.

Rodney nailed down his 13th save with a scoreless inning Monday night, but he's been patently awful this year, with a 5.89 ERA and 1.58 WHIP. Meanwhile, Smith -- who collected his ninth hold with a perfect eighth inning Monday -- has been one of the best relievers in baseball so far this year, so Farquhar probably wasn't a major threat to him anyway. However, it's worth noting that he's seen a lot of work in the early going, as Monday marked his 22nd appearance in 44 games -- an 81-game pace.

Smith picked up his eighth hold of the season Saturday, throwing a perfect eighth inning and striking out one.

He's been nothing short of excellent so far, and Smith now boasts a 0.90 ERA and 23:5 K:BB ratio in 20 innings. Fernando Rodney has been very shaky lately despite having only one official blown save, and if the Mariners do decide to make a switch at closer, Smith is the obvious candidate to replace him.

Smith struck out Mike Trout with two on to end an eighth-inning threat in Monday's season-opening win against the Angels.

Smith struck out Trout on four pitches, and the lone non-strike was on a check-swing. Smith, following an out by lefty Charlie Furbush, was cleaning up a mess created by Danny Farquhar. Of course, it's just one game (and Farquhar started slowly last year too), but it's worth keeping an eye on how Farquhar and the power-arm Smith are used. Farquhar is the closer-in-waiting to Fernando Rodney, but it's not out of the question that he could be jumped by Smith if his struggles last.

Smith was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday, Shannon Drayer of 710 AM ESPN Seattle reports.

The Mariners evidently grew to regret their decision to option Smith down Sunday, though that move may simply have been to get him some extra work on the minor league side. Smith, who has posted a 3.11 GO/AO in his minor league career, turned in a 2.93 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 3.46 K/BB in 39 appearances with Tacoma last season.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Shannon Drayer of ESPN 710 AM reports.

Smith was a September call-up last season, and entered 2015 looking to nab a bullpen spot after pitching 8.1 scoreless innings in his audition. It appears he hasn't done enough to earn a spot, and he'll begin the season in Triple-A. However, he's likely one of the top candidates to replace one of the members should an injury occur.