By cutting four players Friday, including former top prospect Jesus Montero, the Mariners reduced the number of players in their major-league camp from 44 to 40.
In a move anticipated since Jesus Montero reported to camp overweight, the Mariners optioned Montero to Triple-A Tacoma Friday. /Wikicommons
Without a natural position and still overweight, first baseman Jesus Montero, a former top prospect, was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma Friday, the Mariners said. The club also optioned to Tacoma outfielders Xavier Avery and James Jones and re-assigned to minor-league camp infielder Chris Taylor.
Remaining in the major league camp are 40 players (29 roster, 11 non-roster invitees) with the season opener against the Angels 17 days away. Here’s a rundown of those aiming to make the 25-man roster.
Bold identifies non-roster invitees:
Right-handed pitchers: Scott Baker, Blake Beavan, Danny Farquhar, Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, Dominic Leone, Brandon Maurer, Yoervis Medina, Zach Miner, Hector Noesi, Stephen Pryor, Erasmo Ramirez, Ramon Ramirez, Fernando Rodney, Carson Smith, Taijuan Walker and Tom Wilhelmsen.
Left-handed pitchers: Joe Beimel, Roenis Elias, Charlie Furbush, Lucas Luetge, James Paxton and Randy Wolf.
Catchers: John Buck, Humberto Quintero and Mike Zunino.
Infielders: Willie Bloomquist, Robinson Cano, Nick Franklin, Brad Miller, Justin Smoak, Kyle Seager and Logan Morrison.
Outfielders: Dustin Ackley, Abraham Almonte, Endy Chavez, Cole Gillespie, Corey Hart, Stefen Romero and Michael Saunders.
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