Mariners bring up Franklin Gutierrez, option James Jones
Jun 24, 2015, 2:53 PM | Updated: 3:01 pm
Franklin Gutierrez hasn't appeared in a major-league game since late in the 2013 season. (AP)
(AP)
BY
Former Seattle Sports Lead Editor
Franklin Gutierrez is making his return to the Mariners.
Seattle brought up the oft-injured, 32-year-old Gutierrez on Wednesday, optioning fellow outfielder James Jones to Tacoma to make room on the roster.
Gutierrez is in the Mariners’ lineup for Wednesday’s game against Kansas City, hitting second and playing left field in what will be his first major-league game since late in the 2013 season. Gutierrez didn’t play last season as he was managing a condition known as ankylosing spondylitis, which contributed to the injuries he had dealt with throughout his career with Seattle.
Shannon Drayer wrote about Gutierrez’s condition and his return to baseball back in spring training.
“It causes inflammation with your joints. It is hard to move, to run, to do all the stuff in your normal life,” Gutierrez told Drayer. “I learned to be strong mentally. It doesn’t matter how many times you fall, you have to learn to stand up again. I also learned that family is the most important thing in our lives. It was a tough process for me, I am still going through it, but I am here again. I still have the opportunity to play, to show what I can do now.”
Gutierrez hit .317 with 19 extra-base hits, 31 RBIs and a .902 OPS in 48 games with the Rainiers this season.
Jones was hitless in seven games with the Mariners this season.
