The Mariners Monday signed veteran outfielders Endy Chavez and Franklin Gutierrez to minor league contracts and extended spring training invitations to both. Chavez appeared in 80 games with Seattle last season while Gutierrez is looking to make a comeback after sitting out the 2013 season in an attempt to recover from a variety of injuries and illnesses.
Chavez, who turns 37 Feb. 7, hit .276 (64×232) with 12 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 23 RBIs while playing all three outfield positions last season. This is the third consecutive spring Chavez will be a non-roster invitee with the Mariners.
A 13-year veteran, Chavez has appeared in 1,151 career games with the Royals (2001), Expos (2002-04), Nationals (2005), Phillies (2005), Mets (2006-08), Mariners (2009, 2013-14), Rangers (2011) and Orioles (2012).
Gutierrez, who turns 32 Feb. 21, last appeared with the Mariners in 2013, batting .248 with seven doubles and 10 home runs. He missed 106 games in two DL stints with a strained right hamstring, April 23-June 21 and June 25-Aug. 25.
Gutierrez, an American League Gold Glove winner in 2010, has appeared in only 173 of 486 team games since, making six trips to the disabled list.
The Mariners roster is currently at 57 players (40 roster, 17 non-roster), including 27 pitchers (seven non-roster), six catchers (three non-roster), 12 infielders (three non-roster) and 12 outfielders (four non-roster).
Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Peoria, AZ., Feb. 20 and hold the first workout Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report Feb. 24 and the first full-squad workout will be Feb. 25.
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