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Seattle Mariners

With Ben Gamel out, Mariners could bring back Ichiro

Miami Marlins' Ichiro Suzuki runs to first in a 2017 game against Tampa Bay. Suzuki is reportedly near to a return with the Seattle Mariners. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
Associated Press

The Seattle Mariners are running out of healthy outfielders. To the rescue – Ichiro?

Ben Gamel will miss opening day, the Mariners said Monday, because of a strained oblique muscle that’s expected to sideline him four to six weeks.

That could open a spot for Ichiro Suzuki, and a deal with the Mariners might be close.

Suzuki was the A.L. MVP and Rookie of the Year for Seattle in 2001 and remained a fan favorite until he was traded away in 2012. The 44-year-old Suzuki spent the past three seasons in Miami, batting .255 last year and starting 23 times in the outfield.

Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last year during his first full season in the majors.

The Mariners were hopeful Gamel would miss only a few days, but an MRI showed a more extensive problem. He first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.

Gamel joined a growing list of banged-up Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix Hernandez (bruised forearm) slowed by injuries during spring training.

Outfielder Guillermo Heredia is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, leaving Seattle thin at the position.