Mariners set 28-man roster for opening series vs A’s in Japan
Mar 19, 2019, 3:24 PM
Ichiro Suzuki has been added to the Mariners' active roster for their series in Japan. (AP)
(AP)
TOKYO – The Mariners have set their 28-man roster for Opening Night in Japan and made the following roster moves.
Re-assigned to Minor League Camp
LHP Tommy Milone
C Jose Lobaton
Placed on the 10-day injured list
RHP Shawn Armstrong (left oblique strain)
RHP Gerson Bautista (right pectoral strain)
RHP Anthony Swarzak (right shoulder impingement)
RHP Sam Tuivailala (right Achilles rupture)
3B Kyle Seager (left third-digit extensor hood tear)
Selected from Triple-A Tacoma
OF Ichiro Suzuki
In addition to the roster moves, the Mariners have declared their three inactive players for the opening series.
Inactive for Japan series
RHP Félix Hernández
RHP Mike Leake
OF Mallex Smith
Here’s the full 28-man roster:
The #Mariners have set their 28-man roster for the 2 games in Japan. Freitas the #2 catcher. pic.twitter.com/viVVT8BuRl
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) March 19, 2019
With Hernández and Leake not scheduled to start in Japan, the Mariners have opted for a few more bullpen and position player options on their roster for the two games.
The Mariners will need to get the roster down to 25 before Game 1 against the Red Sox at T-Mobile Park on March 28, but it appears one battle has been decided with David Freitas in the backup catcher spot.
With Mallex Smith not put on the IL, it would appear the Mariners are confident he will be ready to return from his arm injury in time for the home opener.
A note on the IL: With the addition of Ichiro, the 40-man roster is now full. Players cannot be placed on the 60- day IL until the 40-man is full, so the 10-day designation for the players above does not necessarily reflect how long they are expected to be out.
The Mariners open the 2019 season Wednesday against the Oakland A’s with a game time of 2:35 a.m. (6:35 p.m. Japan Standard Time).
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