Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has undergone surgery to repair core muscle injuries and is expected to be OK for spring training.

The Seattle Mariners closed a disappointing season on Sunday, beating the Oakland Athletics 3-2 thanks to Seth Smith’s solo home run with two outs in the eighth.

SEATTLE – The goal Friday for right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma is to approach his start against Oakland as he would for any other game – and not to think about it possibly being his last appearance in a Mariners uniform. “No difference,” he said. “I just look at it as another start. I just need to prepare for this start like I have for every start in the past. The rest will take care of itself.”

The season should have ended Wednesday for the Mariners in this 7-6 loss to the Houston Astros at Safeco Field. This was a perfect metaphor for a season that saw spring hopes fade slowly into harsh disappointment.

SEATTLE – After Howard Lincoln watched another Seattle Mariners news conference to introduce a new employee, the CEO of the organization said he would take another personal financial hit because of the club’s losing season. Lincoln, the CEO of the Mariners for the past 16 seasons, who rarely speaks, said on Tuesday that as a condition of Seattle having another losing season he would be taking less compensation for his role overseeing the club. Lincoln said he viewed taking less money as his way of being accountable when the club has not succeeded.