Mariners finalize 25-man roster

It was a very crowed clubhouse with the minor leaguers in temporary lockers in the middle of a very cramped space and travel bags strewn across the floor. As the guys hurried to get dressed and try to catch the early bus to the airport two guys were a little slower in getting ready.

Luis Rodriguez who had the corner locker closet to the managers office shot a look in that direction. Jack Zduriencik was in there. After a few minutes he came out but Rodriguez had left his locker.

“Luis,” Zduriencik called out as he scanned the clubhouse.

Rodriguez came forward and was motioned into the office. He came out shortly after with a smile on his face and was hugged by a teammate. He had made the team.

“I feel good now,” he said with a huge smile. “The last week, I can’t sleep. Me and all my family. A tough spring training for me because last year I asked for release after spring training and spent like three months in the minor leagues, and now I come back to the big league.”

“Congratulations, man,” Chone Figgins said warmly. “Just make sure you get on the right bus when you go out there. That is most important. You don’t want to go back to Peoria!”

Also not going back to Peoria with the minor leaguers is Ryan Langerhans who received the good news after Rodriguez. Despite a strong spring he has been around long enough to know that anything can happen and was slightly nervous before the game. It turns out there was no need.

Rodriguez and Langerhans fill out both the 25 and 40 man rosters. As expected Mauricio Robles was placed on the 60 day DL. Sent to the 15 day DL was Franklin Gutierrez, Matt Mangini and David Aardsma. Guti was placed on the DL with what was called stomach gastritis but Zduriencik told me that was not a complete diagnosis. They are still evaluating his condition and looking for more answers.

All three who were sent to the 15 day DL are eligible to come off as early as April 6 as the moves were retroactive to March 22.