Wednesday notebook: Mariners and Cubs exchange minor leaguers

The Mariners have acquired LHP Mike Kickham from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league RHP Lars Huijer. To make room for Kickham on the 40-man roster the team has designated LHP Anthony Fernandez for assignment.

Kickham was claimed off waivers from the Giants Dec. 23 but then designated for assignment by the Cubs Jan. 9 to make room for Chris Denorfia. The lefty spent his entire career in the Giants organization and pitched parts of the 2013 and 2014 seasons in the big leagues where he put up a 10.98 ERA in 14 appearances (three starts). He has a minor-league option remaining.

Huijer, who signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2011, has combined to go 17-17 with a 4.48 ERA in five minor league seasons. Fernandez went 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five starts for the Rainiers last season before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Notes

• Robinson Cano made his debut for the Estrellas de Oriente in the Dominican League Tuesday afternoon and went 1-4 with a double and three RBIs. Cano was the DH and hit cleanup. In his first at-bat he drove in a run on a groundout to third. His second at-bat was a groundout to first that advanced a runner. The two-run double came with two outs and runners on the corner. He hit a wicked shot down the left field line and ran well to second base. The toe does not appear to be causing him any problems.

• Yesterday was the first day eligible players could file for arbitration, and all five arbitration-eligible Mariners – Dustin Ackley, Charlie Furbush, Austin Jackson, Tom Wilhelmsen and Logan Morrison – did so. Teams and players will exchange salary numbers on Friday. The two sides can continue to negotiate up until hearings which will be scheduled to be held from Feb. 1-21.

• The Mariners have released their promotions schedule for the upcoming season. Highlights include the “King Felix” bobblehead, which will have Felix in a crown and royal robe, a Fernando Rodney arrow-shooting bobblehead, four fireworks nights, Hisashi Iwakuma “Bear Hat” night, the newest beard hat and more. For details visit the promotions and special events page at mariners.com.

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