Mike Zunino made his first start behind the plate Saturday since being called up Thursday to replace injured catcher Steve Clevenger.
Zunino, the starting catcher for the Mariners in 2014 and 2015, will serve as a backup to veteran Chris Iannetta. But while manager Scott Servais expects Zunino to play more than Clevenger did as the backup, there is a stipulation.
“He’s got to earn it,” Servais said.
He got off to a good start, with a two-run homer in the second inning against Baltimore’s Tyler Wilson.
Iannetta will start Sunday and Zunino will get another start Monday in Houston.