Kenji Johjima did the Mariners a huge favor last week by simply walking away from the final two years and $16 million on his contract, but it turns out that he had more money waiting for him back in Japan.
Prior to signing with the Mariners in 2006 he spent a decade starring for the Softbank Hawks and Johjima talked to his former team about returning before ultimately agreeing to a four-year, $21 million deal with the Hanshin Tigers.
Everything worked out well for Johjima, who trades a backup role and $16 million in Seattle for a starting job and $21 million in Japan, but the Mariners are even bigger winners by clearing his salary off the books. For now prospect Adam Moore is penciled in as their starting catcher, but he’ll get competition from either Rob Johnson or a veteran acquired this offseason.
Yankees clear 3 roster spots, could activate Stanton, Donaldson, Kahnle on Friday
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson and Tommy Kahnle appear set to rejoin the New York Yankees ahead of their series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
New York cleared three roster spots, saying that infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero had been optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook after a 1-0 loss at Seattle.
Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.
Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.
Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.
Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton potentially returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.