Corey Hart (forearm, back) will play in minor league games.

Minor league spring games employ less rigid rules -- batters can hit every inning, for example -- leading Seattle to believe that this is the best course of action with Hart. The 31-year-old slugger will be a fantasy asset in standard mixed leagues as long as he retains his health. Therein lies the problem. Hart signed a one-year, $5 million free agent contract with the Mariners in mid-December.

Corey Hart (forearm, back) is expected to return to Cactus League action on Friday.

Hart was pulled from Tuesday's game due to forearm tenderness and began experiencing tightness in his back on Wednesday, but they are both minor ailments. The 31-year-old is set to open the 2014 season as the Mariners' right fielder and should carry considerable fantasy value.

Corey Hart said Wednesday that his tender forearm and tight back are both minor issues.

Hart has not experienced any problems with either of his surgically-repaired knees this spring in camp, so the Mariners are happy. He should return to Cactus League action by the end of this week and is expected to open the 2014 regular season as Seattle's primary right fielder. The 31-year-old slugger will be a valuable asset in standard mixed leagues throughout the summer if he maintains good health.

Corey Hart made an early exit from Tuesday's Cactus League game because of forearm tenderness.

It doesn't sound like a serious issue. Hart is hoping to reestablish himself this season after missing the entire 2013 campaign while rehabbing dual knee surgeries. He signed a one-year, $5 million free agent contract with the Mariners in mid-December.

Corey Hart (knee) is expected to make his Cactus League debut on Friday.

Hart has been experiencing some tenderness in his knee over the past week, but it's not a major concern for the Mariners. He should be fine for Opening Day and is expected to serve as Seattle's primary right fielder.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Friday that Corey Hart (knee) is "still a little tender moving side to side."

The M's have Hart working in the outfield as he comes back from a pair of knee surgeries. Despite the soreness, they've overall been pleased with how he's looked. As long as he feels up to it, Hart is expected to be used as the club's primary right fielder this season.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Wednesday that Corey Hart will mostly work in the outfield early on in camp.

Hart missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from dual knee surgeries, so the Mariners are going to take it easy with him early in camp. He did everything but sliding during drills on Tuesday. The hope is that Hart will feel comfortable enough to play the outfield on a regular basis, but he could also rotate to first base and the DH spot on occasion.

Corey Hart is happy with the progress of his surgically-repaired knee.

"I haven't gotten on the field yet to do fly balls, but I've been doing simulated ground balls to work on my footwork and agility," Hart said. "It's been progressing. I've been able to do everything. It's been nice." The Mariners bet $6 million that the 31-year-old will be healthy and productive in 2014. When last healthy, Hart hit .270 with 30 homers and 83 RBI in 149 games for Milwaukee in 2012. Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik and skipper Lloyd McClendon have discussed a three-man rotation between Hart, Morrison and Justin Smoak between first base and DH, though Jack Z believes Morrison and Hart can also play the outfield. "I think it's going to give you a chance to give some guys a rest," Zduriencik said, "And give you a chance to match up your club a little bit better (against opposing pitchers)."

Mariners signed OF Corey Hart to a one-year, $5 million contract.

The deal carries another $8 million in performance-based incentives. The Mariners are saying that Justin Smoak will remain the starting first baseman, so Hart appears likely to operate between the corner outfield spots and DH. He missed the entire 2013 season due to knee issues, but the 31-year-old slugger has always been an excellent hitter when healthy and is expected to be 100 percent heading into 2014.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, Corey Hart's new one-year contract with the Mariners carries a $5 million base salary and $8 million in incentives.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Mariners have signed Corey Hart to a one-year contract.

It's a nice low-risk deal for the Mariners, who will use Hart at first base and designated hitter in 2014 while likely batting him cleanup behind Robinson Cano. Hart had an offer on the table to return to the Brewers, but Seattle simply beat it. The 31-year-old posted a .270/.334/.507 slash line, 30 home runs and 83 RBI in 2012 before missing the entire 2013 season following dual knee surgeries. He should be ready for Opening Day in 2014.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, free agent Corey Hart is "torn between re-signing with the Brewers and another club that may be the Mariners."

Hart loves Milwaukee and Milwaukee loves Hart, but the Mariners are spending big this winter and are probably capable of making him the best offer. The 31-year-old missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from surgery on both of his knees, but he had an .857 OPS between 2010-2012 and averaged 29 home runs per year in that span.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Brewers are "working to try to secure a return" of Corey Hart.

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com has reported that Hart could make a decision as soon as Tuesday night, and Jim Duquette of SiriusXM has reported that the Brewers are now out on Ike Davis, who was viewed as the club's backup plan. In other words, things are trending towards Hart re-signing with the Brew Crew soon. An announcing could be forthcoming.

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports that Corey Hart could make a decision on who to sign with Tuesday night.

McCalvy notes that the Brewers are "still in play" for the first baseman/outfielder. The Mariners, Red Sox, Giants, Rays and Rockies have also been connected to Hart this winter. Hart missed all of the 2013 season following a pair of knee surgeries but would make for a good gamble on a short-term deal.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Tuesday that he's hoping to hear a decision from Corey Hart by the end of this week's Winter Meetings.

The Brewers have made retaining Hart a priority, but they will move on to other options if he decides to sign elsewhere. There are plenty of alternatives on the trade market, including Ike Davis of the Mets and Logan Morrison of the Marlins.

Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke with Corey Hart's agent, who says that the Brewers have made the free agent slugger "a priority."

Hart missed the entire 2013 season after undergoing microfracture surgery on his right knee. When healthy, he's usually a lock for at least 25 homers and an OPS north of .850. It's easy to see why the Brewers would want to continue their relationship with Hart, who turns 32 years old in March. It is worth noting, though, that Hart has drawn serious interest from a number of other deep-pocketed major league teams, including the Mariners, Red Sox, Giants, Rays and Rockies.

Corey Hart's agent is expected to meet with the Brewers at this week's Winter Meetings in Orlando.

The Brewers, like many other teams, are hoping to sign Hart to an incentives-based one-year contract. The 31-year-old free agent missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from dual knee surgeries, but the Red Sox, Giants, Rays, Rockies and Mariners are among the teams with interest because of his past power production.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Mariners are showing interest in free agent Corey Hart.

The 31-year-old missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from a pair of knee surgeries. He was cleared earlier in the week to resume baseball related activities and work himself back into shape. The Red Sox, Giants, Rays and Rockies are also known to have interest.

Corey Hart (knee) was cleared by his surgeon Tuesday to resume all baseball-related activities.

Hart can now begin working himself back into baseball shape and shopping himself to interested teams. The 31-year-old missed the entire 2013 season while recovering from dual knee surgeries. He has already been contacted by the Red Sox, Giants, Rays and Rockies.

Corey Hart expects to get full medical clearance for his knees Tuesday after a meeting with his surgeon.

Hart missed the entire 2013 season, but he's drawing considerable free agent interest this winter because of his past offensive success. The Red Sox, Giants, Rays and Rockies are among the teams with reported interest, and the Brewers have talked about bringing him back. Hart, 31, boasts an .824 career OPS.