PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez is set to start on opening day for the 10th straight year.Manager Scott Servais made the announcement Sunday.Hernandez will make his 10th consecutive and 11th opening day start overall when the Mariners host the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night."First of all, it's an honor. Ten straight with one team is really, really an honor for me," Hernandez said.The right-hander was slowed in spring training this year by a line drive that struck him in the pitching arm Feb. 26, leaving a deep bruise. Hernandez made only one more exhibition start after that, pitching 3 2/3 innings Saturday against the Cubs.Hernandez said after the injury and recovery from it, he didn't doubt he'd be chosen for opening day.Servais said he made the decision after Hernandez pitched well and felt fine following the outing against the Cubs. Hernandez is coming off an injury-plagued 2017 season."It's not about one game. Our season's about 162. Felix has earned the... [More]

Nelson Cruz joined the Seattle Mariners' growing list of injured players.Cruz hit a two-hop RBI single to the right-field wall in the first inning against Colorado, then walked slowly to the Mariners' dugout while rubbing his right thigh and slightly favoring the leg. He was replaced by pinch runner Daniel Vogelbach, and the Mariners said Cruz had soreness in his right quadriceps.Second baseman Robinson Cano left Sunday's game because of tightness in his left hamstring, and a scan Monday revealed a minor strain, the Mariners said.Left-hander Marco Gonzales left his start Monday after 1 2/3 innings when he was hit on his right hand by a comebacker off the bat of Leury Garcia of the Chicago White Sox. Gonzales threw to first for the out, then departed. Seattle said he sustained a bruise.Ace right-hander Felix Hernandez hasn't pitched in a game since he was hit on the right forearm by a line drive off the bat of the Chicago Cubs' Victor Caratini on Feb. 26.Other injured players include outfielders... [More]

Nelson Cruz joined the Seattle Mariners' growing list of injured players.Cruz hit a two-hop RBI single to the right-field wall in the first inning against Colorado, then walked slowly to the Mariners' dugout while rubbing his right thigh and slightly favoring the leg. He was replaced by pinch runner Daniel Vogelbach, and the Mariners said Cruz had soreness in his right quadriceps.Second baseman Robinson Cano left Sunday's game because of tightness in his left hamstring, and a scan Monday revealed a minor strain, the Mariners said.Left-hander Marco Gonzales left his start Monday after 1 2/3 innings when he was hit on his right hand by a comebacker off the bat of Leury Garcia of the Chicago White Sox. Gonzales threw to first for the out, then departed. Seattle said he sustained a bruise.Ace right-hander Felix Hernandez hasn't pitched in a game since he was hit on the right forearm by a line drive off the bat of the Chicago Cubs' Victor Caratini on Feb. 26.Other injured players include outfielders... [More]

Nelson Cruz joined the Seattle Mariners' growing list of injured players.Cruz hit a two-hop RBI single to the right-field wall in the first inning against Colorado, then walked slowly to the Mariners' dugout while rubbing his right thigh and slightly favoring the leg. He was replaced by pinch runner Daniel Vogelbach, and the Mariners said Cruz had soreness in his right quadriceps.Second baseman Robinson Cano left Sunday's game because of tightness in his left hamstring, and a scan Monday revealed a minor strain, the Mariners said.Left-hander Marco Gonzales left his start Monday after 1 2/3 innings when he was hit on his right hand by a comebacker off the bat of Leury Garcia of the Chicago White Sox. Gonzales threw to first for the out, then departed. Seattle said he sustained a bruise.Ace right-hander Felix Hernandez hasn't pitched in a game he was hit on the right forearm by a line drive off the bat of the Chicago Cubs' Victor Caratini on Feb. 26.Other injured players include outfielders... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki's wish was granted. He is back in the familiar white and blue jersey of the Seattle Mariners."Even in the offseason when I would go back to Japan, I always came back to Seattle. This was my home ... has always been my home," the 44-year-old outfielder said through a translator Wednesday after finalizing a $750,000, one-year contract. "Somewhere deep inside, I wanted to return and wear this uniform again."Almost six years away, Suzuki returned to help patch an injury-depleted outfield on the team he played for from 2001-12. The 10-time All-Star can earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $200,000 each for 150 and each additional 50 through 350, and $250,000 for 400.Suzuki earned the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, with the Mariners and won a pair of AL batting titles. He was traded to the New York Yankees midway through 2012, played parts of three seasons with the Yankees, then spent three seasons with Miami.He... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — The Seattle Mariners are bringing back Ichiro Suzuki.Seattle finalized a $750,000, one-year deal with 44-year-old Japanese star on Wednesday after several outfielders got hurt. He can earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses based on plate appearances: $200,000 each for 150 and each additional 50 through 350, and $250,000 for 400.Suzuki spent the first 11 major league seasons with the Mariners, earning 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, winning a pair of batting titles and becoming a 10-time All-Star. He was traded to the New York Yankees midway through 2012, played parts of three seasons with the Yankees, then spent three seasons with Miami.He has a .312 average and 3,080 hits. Suzuki appeared in 136 games last year and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage."The addition of Ichiro gives our team another versatile and athletic outfielder," general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "His incredible work ethic, preparation and focus will enhance... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — The Seattle Mariners are bringing back Ichiro Suzuki.Seattle finalized a $750,000, one-year deal with 44-year-old Japanese star on Wednesday after several outfielders got hurt. He can earn an additional $1.25 million in performance bonuses.Suzuki spent the first 11 major league seasons with the Mariners, earning 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, winning a pair of batting titles and becoming a 10-time All-Star. He was traded to the New York Yankees midway through 2012, played parts of three seasons with the Yankees, then spent three seasons with Miami.He has a .312 average and 3,080 hits. Suzuki appeared in 136 games last year and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage."The addition of Ichiro gives our team another versatile and athletic outfielder," general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "His incredible work ethic, preparation and focus will enhance our environment in many ways. He's truly one of the great players in the history of the game and his unquestionable... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — The Seattle Mariners are bringing back Ichiro Suzuki.Seattle finalized a one-year deal with 44-year-old Japanese star on Wednesday after several outfielders got hurt.Suzuki spent the first 11 major league seasons with the Mariners, earning 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, winning a pair of batting titles and becoming a 10-time All-Star. He was traded to the New York Yankees midway through 2012, played parts of three seasons with the Yankees, then spent three seasons with Miami.He has a .312 average and 3,080 hits. Suzuki appeared in 136 games last year and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage.Ben Gamel is sidelined for at least a month with a strained oblique muscle, Mitch Haniger is dealing with a hand injury that has limited his activity for a couple of weeks, and Guillermo Heredia is still in the final stages of recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.Suzuki underwent a physical in Seattle on Monday. His return is similar to the Mariners' reunion with Ken... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — The Seattle Mariners are bringing back Ichiro Suzuki.Seattle finalized a one-year deal with 44-year-old Japanese star on Wednesday after several outfielders got hurt.Suzuki spent the first 11 major league seasons with the Mariners, earning 2001 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP, winning a pair of batting titles and becoming a 10-time All-Star. He was traded to the New York Yankees midway through 2012, played parts of three seasons with the Yankees, then spent three seasons with Miami.He has a .312 average and 3,080 hits. Suzuki appeared in 136 games last year and hit .255 with a .318 on-base percentage.Ben Gamel is sidelined for at least a month with a strained oblique muscle, Mitch Haniger is dealing with a hand injury that has limited his activity for a couple of weeks, and Guillermo Heredia is still in the final stages of recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.Suzuki underwent a physical in Seattle on Monday. His return is similar to the Mariners' reunion with Ken... [More]

The Seattle Mariners are running out of healthy outfielders. To the rescue — Ichiro?Ben Gamel will miss opening day, the Mariners said Monday, because of a strained oblique muscle that's expected to sideline him four to six weeks.That could open a spot for Ichiro Suzuki, and a deal with the Mariners might be close.Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year for Seattle in 2001 and remained a fan favorite until he was traded away in 2012. The 44-year-old Suzuki spent the past three seasons in Miami, batting .255 last year and starting 23 times in the outfield.Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last year during his first full season in the majors.The Mariners were hopeful Gamel would miss only a few days, but an MRI showed a more extensive problem. He first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.Gamel joined a growing list of banged-up Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix... [More]

The Seattle Mariners are running out of healthy outfielders. To the rescue — Ichiro?Ben Gamel will miss opening day, the Mariners said Monday, because of a strained oblique muscle that's expected to sideline him four to six weeks.That could open a spot for Ichiro Suzuki, and a deal with the Mariners might be close.Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year for Seattle in 2001 and remained a fan favorite until he was traded away in 2012. The 44-year-old Suzuki spent the past three seasons in Miami, batting .255 last year and starting 23 times in the outfield.Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last year during his first full season in the majors.The Mariners were hopeful Gamel would miss only a few days, but an MRI showed a more extensive problem. He first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.Gamel joined a growing list of banged-up Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix... [More]

The Seattle Mariners are running out of healthy outfielders. To the rescue — Ichiro?Ben Gamel will miss opening day, the Mariners said Monday, because of a strained oblique muscle that's expected to sideline him four to six weeks.That could open a spot for Ichiro Suzuki, and a deal with the Mariners might be close.Suzuki was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year for Seattle in 2001 and remained a fan favorite until he was traded away in 2012. The 44-year-old Suzuki spent the past four seasons in Miami, batting .255 last year and starting 23 times in the outfield.Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last year during his first full season in the majors.The Mariners were hopeful Gamel would miss only a few days, but an MRI showed a more extensive problem. He first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.Gamel joined a growing list of banged-up Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix... [More]

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — The injuries continue to mount for the Seattle Mariners, who will be without outfielder Ben Gamel for four to six weeks due to a strained right oblique muscle.The Mariners were hopeful that Gamel would miss only a few days but an MRI revealed a more extensive injury after it was reviewed by team physicians. Gamel first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.Gamel is added to a growing list of ailments for the Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix Hernandez (bruised forearm) slowed by injuries during spring training. Outfielder Guillermo Heredia is also still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, leaving Seattle thin at the position.Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last season for Seattle.___More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — Ryon Healy joined his new teammates Tuesday for the Seattle Mariners' first scheduled full-squad workout of spring training. But all he could do was stand around and watch.Healy had surgery last Wednesday to remove a bone spur in his right hand and cannot take part in drills. His prognosis for recovery is four to six weeks before the Mariners hope he can get into games.That wasn't the plan when the Mariners acquired the 26-year-old Healy in a trade with the Oakland Athletics last November. He is Seattle's projected starting first baseman after batting .271 with 25 home runs and 78 RBIs last year, his first full major league season.But the start to his Mariners tenure has been delayed."I can't sit here and dwell on the negativity about it. I really have to find a positive, and that's that my body is going to get some rest and I get an opportunity to meet some teammates and form some relationships before I even step on the field," Healy said.Healy has a bandage on the... [More]

SEATTLE (AP) — As general manager Jerry Dipoto accurately explained, the Seattle Mariners are a team stuck in the middle.They're not in the position of rebuilding. They have enough talent and enough veterans — with big contracts — to be competitive. But they're not among the elite of the American League, including the Houston Astros in their own division.So as the Mariners head to spring training next week, they'll do so in a very awkward position. Their everyday lineup is already established. Their pitching — led by lefty James Paxton — could be strong if key players perform up to expectations. Seattle very well could be in contention for a playoff spot in the American League and possibly end the longest playoff drought in baseball.But no one believes Seattle is in position to compete with the superpowers of the league."What gets me in an urgent position every day is understanding where our roster is, how to build this group into a playoff scenario, and let them do what they do," Dipoto... [More]

The Seattle Mariners optioned outfielder Guillermo Heredia to Triple-A Tacoma following Tuesday night's game.Heredia, 25, has hit .250 with one home run and three RBIs in 12 games with the Mariners this season. He made his major league debut on July 29 at the Chicago Cubs. In his last eight games (Aug. 2-9), Heredia hit .350 (7-for-20) with one home run, three RBIs, four walks and just two strikeouts. He had a career-high three hits (3-for-7) in Tuesday's 15-inning 6-5 win over the Detroit Tigers.Prior to being selected from Tacoma on July 29, Heredia hit .340 with two home runs, 13 RBIs and a .385 on-base percentage in 26 games with the Rainiers. He began the season at Double-A Jackson, where he hit .293 with two home runs, 34 RBIs and a .405 on-base percentage in 58 games before being promoted to Triple-A on June 23.Heredia was signed by Seattle on March 1 as an international free agent. He played in Cuba from 2009-2014.

The Seattle Mariners recalled outfielder Guillermo Heredia from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday and optioned left-handed relief pitcher David Rollins to the minor league club.Heredia, 25, was available for Friday's game at the Chicago Cubs.Heredia defected from Cuba in early 2015. Prior to signing with the Mariners as a non-drafted free agent on March 1, he had not played competitive baseball since 2014.Heredia has hit .340 with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 26 games with Tacoma this season. He hit safely in 21 of 26 games with Tacoma, including 11 multi-hit games.Prior to being transferred to Tacoma on June 23, Heredia hit .293 with two home runs and 34 RBIs in 58 games with Double-A Jackson.In six seasons with Matanzas in the Serie Nacional Cuban League, Heredia hit .285 with 23 home runs and 121 RBIs in 374 career games.Rollins, 26, is 1-0 with a 7.04 ERA over 7 2/3 innings with six strikeouts and seven walks in nine relief appearances over four stints with the Mariners this season. Rollins earned his first career major league win on June 18 against the Chicago White Sox.Rollins is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA over 30 2/3 innings with 26 strikeouts and one walk in 24 games with Tacoma this season, all in relief. In parts of two major league seasons with Seattle, Rollins is 1-2 with a 7.44 ERA over 32 2/3 innings with 27 strikeouts and 15 walks in 29 career games.