Mariners activate Saunders, option Montero

Jun 27, 2014, 2:54 PM | Updated: 2:54 pm

By Brady Henderson

Michael Saunders is back with the Mariners and Jesus Montero is heading back down to Triple-A Tacoma.

Saunders has returned from a rehab assignment and is in the lineup for Friday’s series opener against Cleveland, batting seventh and playing right field. He was hitting .272 with four home runs and 25 RBIs in 52 games before landing on the 15-day disabled list on June 11 with inflammation in the AC joint of his right shoulder.

Montero hit .286 with a home run in five games with the Mariners.

In other Mariners news, minor-league outfielders Jabari Blash and Jamal Austin have each received a 50-game suspension following their second positive tests for a drug of abuse. Blash is with Tacoma while Austin is with Double-A Jackson. They are suspended without pay, effective immediately.

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