Mariners’ Gutierrez Out For 2014, Iwakuma May Miss Start of Season with Hand injury

The Mariners talented, yet oft-injured outfielder Franklin Gutierrez says he won't play in 2014 due to a recurrence of a condition that limited him to only 41 games last season.

The Mariners said Thursday that the 30-year-old Gutierrez won't be reporting to spring training after a relapse of a gastrointestinal problem that plagued him last season.

Gutierrez notified the team that he didn't think it was fair to come to spring training if he couldn't fully compete for a spot on the major league club.

Gutierrez hit .248 with 10 home runs and 24 RBIs in 145 at-bats last year. He played in only 41 games twice went on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring.

In three seasons with the Mariners, Gutierrez went on the disabled list six times.

In related news, the Mariners said that starting pitcher Hishashi Iwakuma has suffered a strained tendon in the middle finger of his right hand.  The injury will keep Iwakuma out of action for four to six weeks, and greatly affect his pre-season throwing program.

"Luckily, this does not appear to be a serious injury," said general manager Jack Zduriencik. "It is a setback for Kuma, but we are confident that he will quickly overcome the missed time and be able to rejoin our rotation early in the regular season."

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