Mariners option Clement to Tacoma

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners discarded a battery on Sunday, sending catcher Jeff Clement back to the Minor Leagues and releasing right-handed reliever Tyler Walker.

Seattle also added a player, acquiring infielder-outfielder Chris Burke from the Padres for cash. Burke, a non-roster player in the Padres camp, will join the Mariners as a non-roster invitee.

Clement, the Mariners' top Draft choice three years ago and third overall selection in the First-Year Player Draft, was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, where he spent most of the past three seasons.

"We're trying to get a little closer to where we need to be," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "Jeff came in and worked his tail off. But where we're at right now, the best thing for Jeff is to go down and get some work in Triple-A."

The 25-year-old former All-American from the University of Southern California was unavailable for comment.

"He was disappointed," Wakamatsu said. "I know how much he cares and how hard he works, which is a credit to him. One thing you have to realize is he has been in professional baseball for only 2 1/2 years. I saw progress this spring, and I told Jeff that it's tough to make a decision on your career in six weeks. We have to do that to get down to numbers."

Appearing in 17 Cactus League games, Clement batted .268 (11-for-41) with no home runs and four RBIs.

"He didn't have the greatest spring," Wakamatsu said, "but we believe he will be a great hitter. Defensively, he made some great strides. I think it's just more maturity. I think with the competitive nature of this camp, he put a lot of pressure on himself. But he settled down and swung the bat a lot better the past week."

Clement had been regarded as the organization's top catching prospect for the past several years. But the new contract Kenji Johjima signed last season (three years for $24 million) and the defensive skills of Rob Johnson pushed the left-handed-hitting Clement down a notch or two on the depth chart.

Seattle also has the up-and-coming Adam Moore progressing quickly through the farm system.

"I think it's always tough when you have that many guys, but it's a good problem to have," Wakamatsu said. "I trust Pedro [Grifol] and the Minor League staff to devise a plan that gives everyone playing time."

Moore also is expected to start the season with Tacoma.

Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.