SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners activate Mike Zunino, keep David Freitas as backup C

Apr 20, 2018, 9:29 AM | Updated: 1:55 pm

Mariners catcher Mike Zunino has returned from the disabled list for an oblique strain. (AP)...

Mariners catcher Mike Zunino has returned from the disabled list for an oblique strain. (AP)

(AP)

Mike Zunino will be back in action behind the plate for the Mariners on Friday, as he has been activated from the 10-day disabled list following his recovery from an oblique strain suffered on the eve of opening night.

Watch: M’s catch Astros napping for 12th triple play in team history

That’s not the surprise, however. What was less expected was the Mariners’ decision to option Mike Marjama, who broke spring training with the MLB club as the backup catcher, to Triple-A Tacoma to make room for Zunino. That leaves David Freitas, who was initially called up when Zunino first hit the DL, as Seattle’s second catcher.

Freitas, 29, has performed well both at the plate as well as behind it. In 11 games this season, he is hitting .296 with a .355 on-base percentage, four doubles, four runs scored and an RBI.

Zunino, 27, will make his season debut in the Mariners’ 5:05 p.m. series opener at Texas on Friday catching Felix Hernandez. He is coming off a breakout 2017 campaign in which he posted career-highs in nearly every offensive category, including average (.251), OPS (.840) and home runs (25).

Marjama, 28, hit 3 for 27 (.111) with three doubles in 10 games with the Mariners. Manager Scott Servais called him the MVP of Seattle’s opening night win after he stepped in for Zunino, who was scratched from the original starting lineup, and stayed in the game even after taking a swing to his catching hand.

Coverage for the Mariners-Rangers game on Friday begins on 710 ESPN Seattle with the pregame show at 4 p.m., with first pitch coming at 5:05.

Here are the lineups.

Mariners (9-8)

Dee Gordon, CF
Jean Segura, SS
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mitch Haniger, RF
Mike Zunino, C
Daniel Vogelbach, 1B
Guillermo Heredia, LF

Felix Hernandez, RHP

Rangers (7-13)

Shin-Soo Choo, DH
Jurickson Profar, SS
Nomar Mazara, RF
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Joey Gallo, LF
Ronald Guzman, 1B
Robinson Chirinos, C
Drew Robinson, CF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, 2B

Mike Minor, LHP

Maturity, Nicasio’s influence have been key for Mariners’ Edwin Diaz

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
High 66° | Low 43°
No game today.

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Brent Stecker

What could unlock Mariners’ Dominic Canzone for a breakout in ’24

Dominic Canzone has been one of the best hitters for the Seattle Mariners this spring. Jerry Dipoto talked to Wyman and Bob about his ceiling.

3 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Opening day starter set, plus a pitch clock wrinkle

Shannon Drayer details the makeup of the Seattle Mariners' planned 2024 starting rotation and opening day starter, plus much more from Arizona.

5 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Logan Gilbert...

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Notebook: Checking in on the pitchers

Seattle Mariners' Shannon Drayer caught up with Logan Gilbert after a good outing, and has notes on Luis Castillo, Matt Brash and more.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Mariners’ Julio Rodríguez details his offseason meeting with Servais

Seattle Sports' Wyman and Bob talked to Mariners star Julio Rodríguez about his time this offseason with the skipper, plus the goals that are clear in the clubhouse.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Scott Servais...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: How Mariners and Servais view start of season differently

After some slow starts in years past, the Seattle Mariners plan to approach the start of the season differently, Scott Servais says.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford...

Brandon Gustafson

J.P. Crawford: Trade to Mariners ‘saved my career, saved my life’

J.P. Crawford sure is glad to be with the Seattle Mariners, as he explained to Wyman & Bob when discussing his early years in Philadelphia.

2 days ago

Mariners activate Mike Zunino, keep David Freitas as backup C