08/04/2006 1:38 PM - KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The Seattle Mariners have signed T-Bones' closer Byron Embry, Kansas City manager "Dirty" Al Gallagher announced today. A nine-year minor league veteran, Embry went 4-2 with a 1.27 ERA in 29 appearances this season and was tied for the Northern League lead with 14 saves. The big right-hander fanned 51 batters in just 35 1/3 innings pitched and held opposing hitters to a .156 batting average.

Embry, 29, was originally signed by Atlanta in 1996 after being selected in the 35th round of that year’s draft. Byron spent three seasons in the Braves system, advancing to the Class-A Advanced Carolina League before being released out of spring training in 2000. Embry then moved on to the Northern League for five seasons, spending time with Gary, Joliet and Lincoln before signing with the Kansas City Royals in September of 2004.

After picking up eight saves in his first sixteen appearances for Class AAA Omaha in 2005, Embry suffered an arm injury in mid-May, which led to his release.

The 2004 season was the best of Embry's career and was also the catalyst for his signing by the Royals. Embry was 3-3 with a 1.46 ERA, striking out an eye-popping 90 in 55.1 IP. Embry averaged 14.7 strikeouts per nine innings while recording a 6.9:1 strikeout to walk ratio.

The Richmond, KY native owns a 22-25 career record with a 3.30 ERA and 45 saves and is expected to join the Mariners’ Double-A affiliate, the San Antonio Missions (Texas League).