MLB.com

By Jim Street / MLB.com

Before getting called up Thursday, Bucky Jacobsen led the Pacific Coast League in RBIs. (Harry How/AP)

Bucky Jacobsen, a big, bald and powerful first baseman/designated hitter, arrived Thursday afternoon as the Mariners continued their in-season roster makeover. They removed veterans John Olerud and Pat Borders from the 25-man roster by designating them for assignment. Seattle also promoted left-handed reliever George Sherrill from Triple-A Tacoma.

More changes are on the way but without a definite timetable.

"We are in an evaluation mode, so this can't be the end of the transition," general manager Bill Bavasi said.

The Mariners, who have been in last place in the American League West virtually the entire season, already have gotten first-time looks at pitchers Clint Nageotte, Matt Thornton and Travis Blackley, along with position players Ramon Santiago, Hiram Bocachica and Justin Leone.

The future foundation of the franchise could be determined in the final half of this season and the offseason.

"A lot of things we're doing are things to find out where we go next season," manager Bob Melvin said.

"You're not able to do it if you just call some guys up in September. So, to find out where our roster is going to go and see where we need to retool, it's a necessity that we go this route."

Bavasi added, "We don't want to put any expectations on these guys. We just want them to come up here and play. We will let their performance be their salvation."

The events of the day presented both sides of an emotional spectrum.

While the 28-year-old Jacobsen walked into Safeco Field still riding on cloud nine, Olerud was subdued as he said so long to his former teammates and pondered an uncertain future.

"It's a difficult day," Olerud said.

"It's the first time being released for me and it comes as kind of a shock. But I knew that it was a possibility that this could happen.

"I'm not mad at the Mariners. I put them in a tough position by not playing well and with the team struggling. It's been disappointing and frustrating."

Olerud, a .295 career hitter and AL batting champion in 1993, when he batted .363 with the Blue Jays, struggled to a .248 batting average this season with 13 doubles, five home runs and 22 RBIs in 77 games.

On the other hand, Jacobsen had a superb season with the Rainiers, batting .312 with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs. He led the Pacific Coast League in RBIs and extra-base hits (49) and was second in home runs.

He has been a popular player wherever he's played and even has his own fan club -- the Bucky Backers.

The Hermiston, Ore., native learned of his long-awaited promotion Wednesday while attending a luncheon for the Triple-A All-Stars in Pawtuckett, R.I.

After sharing the news with his girlfriend and agent, who were with him, Jacobsen called his parents.

"I got a different reaction than I expected," he said.

"I thought mom would cry and dad would be all excited. It was the opposite. Mom was screaming in the phone and dad was crying. Everybody's happy. I don't know for sure, but I think the last person out of Hermiston on the way up here will turn out the lights."

Melvin decided to give Bucky the night off to get acquainted with his new surroundings.

"It's still kind of hard to believe," Jacobsen said.

"It hasn't sunk in. It might kick in sometime tonight or may not kick in until (Friday). I have been here (Safeco Field) to watch some games, but it looks so much bigger from down here (on the field). I didn't know there were this many seats."

If some of those seats -- specifically the ones behind the fences in left, center and right field -- become landing areas for some of Bucky's best shots, it would be just fine with the Mariners. Even so, how far he hits the ball isn't as important as how often he hits the ball.

"We're looking for him to come in and make contact," Bavasi said.

"We know he hit some tape-measure blasts in Tacoma, but that isn't necessary here. The requirement is to make contact and when he can establish making contact, then the home runs will come.

"It's nice to see a kid that has played in the minors so long (eight years) get an opportunity."

The game plan is to give Jacobsen plenty of at-bats to determine his value to the organization.

"We'll use him some at first and we'll use him some at DH," Melvin said.

"Those are the two places he plays. He's off today and I'll have him in the lineup tomorrow probably and we'll go from there."

The Mariners desperately need a run producer in a lineup that hasn't delivered. Seattle ranks last in the AL in scoring and home runs. While the Mariners kept scuffling on offense, Bucky banged away for Tacoma.

"We had some guys here we thought we were going to get the job done with, but his numbers just kept mounting and mounting to the point where you couldn't help but take notice," Melvin said.

"You look at the lack of production numbers we have here, at some point you have to give the guy a chance."

Jacobsen made only one promise: that he would do whatever he can to help make the second half fun for everyone.

"I'm just excited to be here and have a chance to swing it, put the barrel (of his bat) on the ball and generate some energy and make it an enjoyable second half," he said.

"I hope it is a fun atmosphere. I'm going to have fun."

Olerud didn't have the same feelings.

"I'm going to look at some of my options," he said.

"I was planning on playing until the end of this year, so I plan on finishing up and seeing what happens after that. My time here has been great. We had two good years (2000-2001) and I've made a lot of good friendships."

Designated hitter Edgar Martinez said: "It's hard to see something like this happen to a player like Oly. I could see some changes coming, but it's hard to imagine which player is going to be involved.

"The way he always carried himself in a very professional way. He has been one of the best in the game for many years hitting and fielding. But what was more important was how classy he is and an example for all of us."

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

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