Justin

Leone

Leone, who is back playing after missing the final month and a half of the season with a fractured left hand, is only viewed as a fallback option at third base in Seattle next year.

Leone will miss 4-6 weeks, making Willie Bloomquist the Mariners’ primary third baseman.

Leone spent six days with the Mariners in April and didn’t get an at-bat. He was injured and unproductive in Triple-A, so he never received another opportunity. The 28-year-old is capable of having a career as an offensive-minded utilityman, but it’s not a great sign that no one claimed him off waivers. He’ll become a minor league free agent.

If he somehow gets the opportunity, Leone would likely outhit Vinny Castilla next season, although he’s not as good as Castilla defensively. He’ll probably need the Padres to move a couple of players if he’s going to have a chance at a bench spot. Burke, 28, had a 3.07 ERA in 73 1/3 IP of relief between the Phillies’ Double- and Triple-A clubs last season. He’ll head to Triple-A Portland.

Santos is the best bet of the group to break camp with the Giants, but there isn’t much upside there. Leone is probably the organization’s best option at third base at the moment, but it’s been four years since his last opportunity. Harper, a former Mets prospect, would be a deep sleeper at first if the Giants fail to upgrade.

Duncan hit .344/.417/.594 in 32 at-bats, but there’s no room for him on the Yankees with the team expected to keep five outfielders. Leone failed to get into the mix at third base while going 5-for-36 with 13 strikeouts this spring. Robertson, who allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings and struck out 10, could be one of the first relievers called up by the team.

Leone, 32, is nothing but organizational depth for the Rangers.

Leone would be an upgrade for the Giants, but since he is 31, he’s not someone the team really needed to try. If everyone better than Rich Aurilia and Dan Ortmeier belonged in the majors, the league would have to expand to 40 teams.

He started at third base and later saw time in center field and at first base after Dan Ortmeier got hurt. Leone, whose only significant action in the majors came with the Mariners in 2004, might be an upgrade over both Ortmeier at first and Rich Aurilia at third. That hardly means he’s a lock to make the Giants, but he’d be a sleeper if the team gave him a roster spot. He’s 6-for-12 with three walks this spring.