M’s place Mateo on inactive list

SEATTLE – With his 10-day suspension over, the Seattle Mariners placed pitcher Julio Mateo on the Triple-A inactive list Wednesday as he continues counseling following his arrest in New York after a dispute with his wife.

Mateo was suspended for 10 days without pay on May 6, a day after the 6-foot, 220-pound pitcher was arrested on a charge of third-degree assault. He posted bond and was released. Police said his wife needed five stitches to her mouth.

The suspension cost him $54,645 of his $1 million salary this year. He started getting paid again Wednesday.

Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said he doesn’t know when or if Mateo will return to the major league roster. Mateo was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma after missing the Mariners game on May 5.

“The decision, the information we gave you today is really as far as we’re willing to go because just haven’t gotten to that point yet to give you a good answer,” Bavasi said.

Mateo is working out alone under Mariners supervision and is continuing with his employee assistance program counselor. Bavasi said the decision to keep Mateo inactive was made by the team, with guidance from his counselor.

“He’s very cooperative. He’s contrite, cooperative, compliant,” Bavasi said. “He understands the gravity of the situation.”

Mateo is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in nine games this season and is in the final season of a $1.87 million, two-year contract.

While Mateo was suspended, the Mariners acquired right-handed reliever Jason Davis from Cleveland for a player to be named. Manager Mike Hargrove said that Davis would take over Mateo’s role in the Mariners’ bullpen.

Davis pitched the ninth inning in Seattle’s 11-3 win over the Angels on Tuesday night.