SEATTLE — According to multiple reports, Ichiro Suzuki is coming back to the Mariners with the hopes of playing on the active roster this season.
Ichiro signed a one-year minor league contract that will pay him $750,000, if he makes the Mariners' major league roster, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Wednesday.
Ichiro played in 15 games for the Mariners last season before he joined the Mariners front Office as a special assistant to the Chairman. While he did not appear in any more games, he never officially announced his retirement.
“We want to make sure we capture all of the value that Ichiro brings to this team off the field,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. “This new role is a way to accomplish that. While it will evolve over time, the key is that Ichiro’s presence in our clubhouse and with our players and staff improves our opportunity to win games. That is our number-one priority and Ichiro’s number-one priority."
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The latest reported opportunity could give Suzuki a chance to audition for a reserve role in the outfield during spring training and could put him on the team’s opening day roster when they play the Oakland Athletics in Japan.
Ichiro began his Major League Baseball career with the Mariners in 2001 when he won both American League Rookie of the Year and American League Most Valuable Player. In his career, Ichiro has a .311 batting average with 3,089 hits, 1420 runs scored, 117 home runs, 780 RBI’s and 509 stolen bases.
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