The Seattle Mariners have made another minor roster move aimed at adding depth.
On Thursday, the Mariners announced they had signed veteran first baseman/designated hitter Mike Jacobs to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.
Jacobs was an everyday big league player at one time. In 2008, he hit .247 with 32 home runs and 93 RBI for the Florida Marlins. But his numbers steadily declined after that. He has spent the better part of the past three seasons in the minor leagues.
Last season, Jacobs hit .279 with 18 homers and 60 RBI with Triple-A Reno. In 2011, he hit .298 with 23 homers and 97 RBI for Colorado Springs. In 2010, Jacobs made a little infamous history becoming the first player under baseball’s new drug testing program to test positive for human growth hormone. He was suspended for 50 games.
Jacobs, a long shot to make the Mariners out of spring training, could be in Tacoma this season now that Luis Jimenez is no longer in the organization.
SHORT HOPS
Giants pitcher Sergio Romo is facing a misdemeanor summons in Las Vegas alleging he violated airport rules for failing to show proper ID and getting into an argument after being detained by authorities on New Year’s Day. … Nick Swisher passed his physical and signed the four-year, $56 million contract he agreed to last month with the Cleveland Indians. … Setup reliever Jason Frasor signed a $1.5 million, one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners @RyanDivish
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