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Seattle Mariners

Mariners expected to sign Jayson Werth to minor league deal

In this Sept. 17, 2017 file photo, Washington Nationals’ Jayson Werth slides into home on an RBI-double by Anthony Rendon during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Washington. The Nationals won 7-1. (Mark Tenally / Associated Press)
Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Seattle Mariners are expected to sign Jayson Werth to a minor league contract, a deal contingent on a successful physical.

Manager Scott Servais said before Seattle’s spring training finale on Tuesday that Werth’s name was brought up about a week ago and the Mariners believe there may be an opportunity for him to get some at-bats at Triple-A to see what is left.

Servais said Werth likely would be at extended spring training for a while.

Werth will turn 39 in May. He played in 70 games last year for Washington and hit .226 with 10 homers and 29 RBIs. He played in 143 games for the Nationals in 2016 but his production has dropped steadily since he hit .292 in 2014.