Mariners tweak 40-man roster

11/19/2005
The Mariners filled their 40-man roster on Friday by adding six names and subtracting one.
Right-handed pitchers Renee Cortez and Emiliano Fruto, left-handed pitchers Cesar Jimenez and Bobby Livingston, infielder Oswaldo Navarro and outfielder T.J. Bohn were added to the 40-man roster, while infielder Ramon Santiago was released.
The veteran infielder, acquired from the Tigers three years ago for shortstop Carlos Guillen, spent most of last season with Triple-A Tacoma. With so many young shortstops coming through the system, and rookie Yuniesky Betancourt expected to man the position for several years, it made more sense to cut Santiago loose and use the roster spot on an up-and-coming prospect.
Another roster move could be forthcoming.
According to the Seattle Times, Japanese free agent catcher Kenji Jojima could decide on Tuesday whether to remain in Japan and play for the Sadaharu Oh-managed Fukuoka Soft-Bank Hawks or accept an offer from the Mariners, reportedly for two years guaranteed worth about $12 million and a club option for a third year.
Jojima averaged .305 with 30 homers and 87 RBIs the past five years and would become the first Japanese catcher to sign with a Major League team.
All MLB teams had to have their 40-man rosters set by Friday, and the Mariners did just that.
Bohn, 25, split this past season between Double-A San Antonio and Tacoma, batting .308 (135-for-438) with 30 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, 45 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 113 games with the Missions. He was a member of the Texas League All-Star team and named Player of the Week, July 4-10, before being promoted to Tacoma.
With the Rainiers, he hit .321 (26-for-81) with three doubles, one home run and four stolen bases in 22 games.
The 22-year-old Cortez was 5-3 with a career-high 10 saves and a 3.96 ERA in 44 games with San Antonio. In his only start of the season, and his first since 2002, he tossed four scoreless innings, allowing five hits while walking one and striking out four on July 15 against Springfield. Cortez tossed a season-high 15 1/3 innings (nine games) with out allowing an earned run from July 9-Aug. 15.
Fruto, 21, was 3-5 with 12 saves and a 4.05 ERA in 49 games combined between San Antonio and Tacoma. He held opponents to a .237 average (67-for-283) while striking out 75 batters in 77 2/3 innings. Fruto was on the disabled list with a right elbow strain from Aug. 4-16.
Jimenez, also 21, split the 2005 season between San Antonio and Tacoma, going 3-5 with four saves and a 2.62 ERA in 45 games -- one start -- with the Missions. Jimenez made four relief appearances with Tacoma, striking out nine batters in 7 2/3 innings from July 7-19. He was on the disabled list with tendinitis in his left elbow from July 26-Aug. 2.
Livingston, 23, was 14-6 with a 3.42 combined between San Antonio and Tacoma. He was 8-4 with a league leading 2.86 ERA in 18 starts with the Missions, landing a spot on the Texas League All-Star team before being promoted to Tacoma. With the Rainiers, he was 6-2 with a 4.70 ERA in 10 starts. Livingston struck out a career-high 14 batters in seven innings on Sept. 2 vs. Sacramento.
Navarro, 21, hit .269 with 57 runs, 29 doubles, nine home runs and 11 stolen bases in 120 games with Class A Wisconsin. He recorded 33 multi-hit games, including six three-hit games.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/