Twins signed LHP Luke French to a minor league contract.

It's not clear whether he'll get an invite to spring training. French spent all of 2011 at Triple-A in the Mariners organization, posting an ugly 6.27 ERA over 26 starts. The 26-year-old will give the club some starter depth in the minors.

Mariners sent LHP Luke French outright to Triple-A Tacoma.

French successfully cleared waivers after being designated for assignment over the weekend. The 25-year-old left-hander has a 6.12 ERA and 67/55 K/BB ratio over 23 starts at the Triple-A level this season.

Mariners designated LHP Luke French for assignment.

French has posted a disappointing 6.12 ERA and 67/55 K/BB ratio in 23 starts at the Triple-A level this season. The 25-year-old should pass easily through waivers.

LHP Luke French is a candidate to take Erik Bedard's place in the Mariners rotation.

As is RHP Blake Beavan. French has been dreadful for Triple-A Tacoma this season, posting a 6.25 and 1.73 WHIP through his first 15 starts and 85 innings.

Luke French had his typical day on Sunday against the Rangers, giving up nine hits and three runs in five innings.

He ends his spring with a 5.06 ERA in 25 innings. With the reemergence of Erik Bedard this spring, French could find himself on the outside looking in of Seattle's rotation.

Luke French twirled three shutout innings Thursday against the White Sox.

The portsider gave up two hits, walked no one and struck out a pair. He also hit Gordon Beckham with a pitch but them promptly picked him off at first base. French is looking to win a spot at the back of the Mariners rotation after posting a 4.83 ERA in 16 games -- 13 starts -- last season. He had a 2.94 ERA last year in 17 starts at Triple-A.

Luke French was tagged for a career-high eight runs over four innings in a loss to the Athletics.

French entered Friday's start with a 2.58 ERA over seven games (five starts) at home this season compared to a 5.56 ERA in eight games (seven starts) on the road. It's a small sample, however it tells us what we have always known. French is an extreme flyball pitcher, well suited for Safeco, but a potential disaster in most of the hitter-friendly parks of the American League. We don't see that changing.

Luke French took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Indians Friday night and ended up with his fourth win of the year.

This is the second time in the last three weeks that French has made a no-hit bid. This time, it was broken up by a Shelly Duncan liner back up the middle. French was lifted after the seven one-hit innings and the bullpen made a one-run lead hold up. The extreme fly-ball pitcher is a good fit for Seattle, but he won't get the Indians every night. French remains a desperation play.

Luke French tossed 7 2/3 shutout frames in a win over the Orioles on Tuesday night.

French didn't give up his first hit until a Josh Bell single with one out in the sixth. All told, he yielded just three hits while fanning three and walking three. The southpaw has an unlikely 4.02 ERA over eight games (five starts) this season, but keep in mind that he also has a mediocre 17/11 K/BB ratio in 40 1/3 innings. Don't get too excited.

Luke French picked up his first win of 2010 after holding the Royals to one run in eight innings Friday.

French allowed nine hits, but only Jason Kendall's double went for extra bases and he didn't walk anyone. He's worth trying in AL-only leagues, in large part because he's due to face the Indians and Orioles in his next two starts.

Mariners recalled LHP Luke French from Triple-A Tacoma.

French will replace Ryan Rowland-Smith in the starting rotation. The 24-year-old southpaw has a 6.39 ERA over one start and three relief appearances with the M's this season and tallied a 5.21 ERA in 12 starts and three relief appearances between the Mariners and Tigers in 2009. He could be a temporary placeholder until top prospect Michael Pineda is ready for the big leagues.

Mariners optioned LHP Luke French to Triple-A Tacoma.

French was called up less than 24 hours ago, but will head back to Tacoma to clear a spot on the Mariners' roster for newly-acquired slugger Justin Smoak. French, 24, has a 6.39 ERA in 12 2/3 big-league innings this year.

Mariners recalled LHP Luke French from Triple-A Tacoma.

French will take the spot of Cliff Lee on the roster. The 24-year-old lefty has allowed eight runs over 9 1/3 innings (7.45 ERA) in two relief appearances and one start with the M's this season. He'll contribute in middle relief.

Mariners optioned LHP Luke French to Triple-A Tacoma.

French was cleared to make room for Mike Sweeney, who returned from the disabled list on Friday. Because of the scheduled off-day next week, the Mariners could opt to go with four starters until Luke French is ready to return from the disabled list.

Luke French gave up four runs over four innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Monday night.

Not the best way to audition for the starting rotation. French was staked to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, however he quickly gave up a three-run home run to Ryan Ludwick in the bottom of the frame. He threw just 35 of 60 pitches for strikes while walking two and striking out none. With Doug Fister penciled in for a return from the disabled list sometime next week, French doesn't have much time to make his mark.

Mariners recalled LHP Luke French from Triple-A Tacoma.

French got off to a good start for Triple-A Tacoma this year and certainly earned this call up with his 6-2 record, 1.93 ERA, and 1.09 WHIP. He got the call to replace the injured Doug Fister, though there is a chance that Ryan Rowland-Smith will continue to pitch in Fister's spot in the rotation as he did on Saturday.

Triple-A Tacoma's Luke French allowed one run and five hits over eight innings Thursday to improve to 4-0.

French has a 1.35 ERA after six starts. It's something of a fluke, given that he's a flyball pitcher and he's allowed just one homer in 40 innings. Still, he's making a case to take Ryan Rowland-Smith's spot in Seattle's rotation. French made 12 starts and three relief appearances in the majors last year and had a 5.21 ERA for the Tigers and Mariners.