Franklin Gutierrez on Friday reiterated his desire to return to playing next season.

Gutierrez decided in February to take all of the 2014 season off as he focuses on his health. The outfielder averaged just 58 games played per season from 2011-13 due to a variety of health issues and over the winter was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. He'll turn 32 next February and will surely have to settle for a minor league deal next offseason.

Mariners placed OF Franklin Gutierrez on the restricted list.

Gutierrez was diagnosed this winter with ankylosing spondylitis and also had a recurrence recently of the gastro-intenstinal issues that plagued him throughout the 2013 season. He is not going to play baseball in 2014 and will instead focus on his personal health. The move Thursday cleared a 40-man roster spot for new Mariners closer Fernando Rodney.

Franklin Gutierrez said he's "feeling good" since taking medication following a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.

Gutierrez has dealt with joint pain for a long time and now knows why. "When I say I'm feeling good, it's because, well, everybody knows what I have right now," he said. "It was very important for me to find out what I had, so now I have to try to manage this." It's certainly good news that Gutierrez will be able to combat his joint pain now, but he remains a major injury risk going forward. The Mariners hope he can stay healthy enough to be used regularly against left-handed pitchers in 2014.

Mariners re-signed OF Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year, $1 million contract.

It's a big pay cut for the 30-year-old outfielder, who made $7 million in 2013 but appeared in just 41 games. He's as injury-prone as it gets but the Mariners will hope to use him regularly against left-handers in 2014. Gutierrez is doubtful to carry fantasy value.

ESPN Deportes' Enrique Rojas reports that the Mariners will re-sign Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year, $1 million contract.

He could potentially earn an additional $2 million in incentives. Gutierrez slashed a disappointing .248/.273/.503 in 141 plate appearances this past season, losing time to a pair of hamstring injuries. The last time Seattle signed Gutierrez, they were announcing a four-year, $20.5 million extension upon completion of his stellar 2009 campaign (.283/.339/.425 with 18 homers, 16 stolen bases and outstanding defense). Injuries have eroded the veteran's production to the point that Seattle opted to decline his $7.5 million option last month and bring him back on a huge discount. If Gutierrez remains healthy -- and, to be fair, the odds aren't great -- this contract is a steal. Gutierrez has averaged just 57 games played over the last three seasons, but he's still a superb defensive center fielder who is a pain for southpaws to deal with in the batter's box.

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports that the Mariners are close to re-signing Franklin Gutierrez to a one-year contract.

It will be a major league contract. Morosi notes that the M's "have been encouraged" by recent reports on Gutierrez's health and are in need of a right-handed bat. Gutierrez has averaged just 57 games played over the last three seasons due to injury, but when he's healthy he's a good defensive center fielder and can hit left-handed pitching.

Giants vice president Bobby Evans said "ideally we'd like to get something done," on Wednesday with a left fielder.

San Francisco currently has Gregor Blanco penciled in as their starting left fielder, so something has to give. Andrew Baggarly of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports that the Giants are interested in free agent outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. The 31-year-old played in just 173 of the Mariners' 486 games over the past three seasons due to injury. He's brittle and not a game-changer on offense, but Gutierrez would come cheap and is an elite defender.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told Greg Johns of MLB.com Tuesday that he's had conversations with Franklin Gutierrez.

The Mariners declined a $7 million club option on the oft-injured Gutierrez last month, but they're considering bringing him back at a lesser rate. It would surely only take a one-year, incentive-laden deal to bring him back. Gutierrez, 31, played in just 173 of the Mariners' 486 games over the past three seasons due to injury.

Franklin Gutierrez has been sidelined in the Venezuelan Winter League by a viral infection.

The health issues roll on for Gutierrez, though this particular ailment sounds minor. Seattle declined a $7.5 million option on the 30-year-old center fielder in early November, so he's a free agent this offseason.

Mariners declined OF Franklin Gutierrez's $7.5 million option for 2014.

He'll receive a $500,000 buyout instead. Gutierrez batted .248/.273/.503 through another injury-plagued 2013 season, though he did slug 10 homers in 41 contests. He hasn't played 100 games since 2010 and will likely have to settle for a one-year, incentive-laden contract.

Franklin Gutierrez went 3-for-4 and hit a two-run homer in the Mariners' 3-2 win over the Astros on Thursday.

It's a shame that Gutierrez can't stay on the field, because he's looked pretty good on the rare occasions that he's been able to play this year. The homer tonight was his second in three games since he came off the DL and seventh in 21 games overall. Some enterprising team will sign both Gutierrez and Grady Sizemore this winter, disassemble them and try to salvage enough parts from each to make one useful center fielder.

Mariners activated OF Franklin Gutierrez from the 15-day disabled list.

Gutierrez has been out since late June with leg issues that originally cropped up in spring training. He's hitting third and starting in right field Monday, and the outfielder should play pretty regularly as long as he can remain healthy.

Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring) has rejoined Triple-A Tacoma to resume his rehab assignment.

Gutierrez's 20-day rehab clock expired last week, but the Mariners aren't ready to add him to the active roster. By rule, he had to wait five days before beginning another rehab assignment. "Each time, he's slowly gotten a little bit better," interim manager Robby Thompson said. "But he's not really back to where he feels he can come out and be part of it every day."

Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring) has returned from his rehab assignment, but remains on the 15-day disabled list.

Gutierrez's 20-day rehab clock has expired, but the Mariners aren't ready to add him to the active roster. It's not clear if he has suffered a setback. The oft-injured outfielder has been sidelined since April 22 because of a severe hamstring strain.

Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring) has resumed a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma.

Gutierrez has missed the last month with nagging leg issues but apparently has made strides in recent days. There's no timetable for his return.

Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring) is not ready for a rehab assignment yet.

Gutierrez has done some hitting, but his leg issues are still a concern. He remains out indefinitely.

Mariners placed OF Franklin Gutierrez on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 24, with a right hamstring strain.

Gutierrez had just returned last week from the 60-day DL with leg issues. The oft-injured outfielder should be considered out indefinitely. Dustin Ackley has replaced him on the roster.

Franklin Gutierrez was removed from Sunday's game in the sixth inning due to tightness in his legs.

Yet another physical setback for the oft-injured M's center fielder. "We'll see how he feels in a couple of days," manager Eric Wedge told reporters on Sunday evening. "This is not what we wanted that's for sure." Gutierrez just returned from a 60-day disabled list stint.

Mariners activated OF Franklin Gutierrez from the 60-day disabled list.

Gutierrez hasn't played since April 22 with a strained hamstring. The oft-injured outfielder was hitting .258/.286/.537 before the injury. He was in the lineup on Saturday, batting sixth.

Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring) went 1-for-5 in his first rehab game Wednesday at Triple-A Tacoma.

Gutierrez was on a minor league rehab assignment earlier this month but had to be pulled off it suddenly after experiencing lingering issues with his legs. He rested for about two weeks and is now ready to test himself again. The hope is that Gutierrez will be ready to rejoin the Mariners' active roster within the next 7-10 days.