Garrett Olson waived by Mariners, claimed by Pirates

Left-handed reliever Garrett Olson, who pitched 66 games for the Mariners over the past two seasons, has been waived by the club and claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Olson had a 5.40 ERA in five appearances for the Mariners this spring and was in a battle with new acquisition Aaron Laffey for a left-handed role in the bullpen.

Olson, 27, was acquired by the Mariners in January of ’09 in a trarde with the Cubs for Aaron Heilman. He was 3-8 with a 5.26 ERA in 118 innings over two seasons with Seattle.

Seattle has several left-handers competing for bullpen roles this spring, including Fabio Castro, Royce Ring, Cesar Jimenez and Laffey.

Olson was out of options, so he couldn’t be sent down to the Minor League camp without being exposed to the waiver process.