Mariners designate Weeks, recall RHP Farquhar

HOUSTON (AP) The Seattle Mariners have designated Rickie Weeks for assignment and recalled right-hander Danny Farquhar from Triple-A Tacoma.

The moves come after Seattle had to use its bullpen for 5 2-3 innings on Thursday and 7 2-3 innings on Friday in tough starts by J.A. Happ and Felix Hernandez.

Manager Lloyd McClendon says he appreciated what Weeks brought to the team, but ''with the stress that we had on the bullpen it was just a move that we had to make.''

Weeks hit .167 with one homer and nine RBIs in 37 games with the Mariners.

Farquhar was 0-3 with a 6.46 ERA in 20 appearances with the Mariners this season before being optioned to Tacoma on May 25. He was 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in five games with one start for the Rainiers.