M’s make roster moves as off-season looms

The Seattle Mariners did some roster housekeeping Wednesday as they prepare for an off-season of possible trades and free-agent signings.

The Mariners activated injured relief pitchers Chris Reitsma and Arthur Rhodes from the 60-day disabled list. To make room for them on the 40-man roster, Seattle outrighted pitcher Jorge Campillo and infielder Nick Green to Triple-A Tacoma.

Teams must pull players off the DL during the off-season. Neither Reitsma nor Rhodes is likely to return to the Mariners in 2008 after they added little to the 2007 team because of elbow injuries.

Reitsma, signed as a free agent as the Mariners sought a veteran right-hander for late-inning relief, spent three stints on the disabled list. He was 0-2 with a 7.61 ERA in 26 appearances. With a $2.7 million option for 2008, the Mariners aren’t expected to bring him back next year.

Rhodes, 38, made the opening-day roster but didn’t throw a pitch during the regular season because of an injury that required “Tommy John” elbow surgery.

Campillo and Green both cleared waivers, allowing the Mariners to send them to Tacoma.

The moves leave the Mariners with a full 40-man roster, although the expected departures of Reitsma and Rhodes will clear at least two spots during the winter trade/signing season.

It has been a busy off-season for the Mariners. Earlier this week they rehauled their coaching staff, hiring Mel Stottlemyre, Jim Riggleman and Norm Charlton to work under manager John McLaren.

Stottlemyre will serve as pitching coach. Riggleman will be the bench coach, and Charlton is the bullpen coach.