BRADY HENDERSON
Mariners activate Ketel Marte from DL, option Stefen Romero
Jun 6, 2016, 1:40 PM

Shortstop Ketel Marte is hitting eighth for the Mariners in his first game back from the disabled list. (AP)
(AP)
One member of the Mariners’ trio of injured starers is on his way back as the team activated shortstop Ketel Marte from the 15-day disabled list on Monday, as expected. To make room on the 25-man roster, Seattle optioned outfielder Stefen Romero back to Triple-A Tacoma.
Marte, 22, has been out since spraining his left thumb while sliding into second base during a May 21 game at Cincinnati. He was hitting .276 with 12 extra-base hits and 14 RBIs in 40 games prior to his injury. He appeared in five games with Tacoma on a rehab assignment, during which he went 4 for 20 with an RBI.
Romero, 27, went 3 for 15 with a double and two RBIs during eight games with the big-league club. One of his RBIs was a big one, scoring the tying run during the Mariners’ comeback from a 10-run deficit last week against San Diego.
Still on the disabled list are ace Felix Hernandez and center fielder Leonys Martin. Hernandez’s calf strain will likely keep him out beyond June 12, when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list. Martin is expected to return this week from his strained hamstring, according to general manager Jerry Dipoto.