Seattle Mariners
Mariners notebook: Left-hander Mike Kickham acquired from Cubs
The Mariners added another left-hander to their 40-man roster Wednesday by acquiring Mike Kickham from the Chicago Cubs in a trade for minor-league right-hander Lars Huijer.
Kickham, 26, was 8-8 with a 4.43 ERA last season in 27 starts for Triple-A Fresno in the San Francisco organization before going to the Cubs in a Dec. 23 waiver claim.
The Cubs designated Kickham for assignment on Jan. 9 to create a roster space after signing free-agent outfielder Chris Denorfia, who closed out last season with the Mariners.
Similarly, the Mariners needed to clear space on their roster for Kickham and did so by designating left-hander Anthony Fernandez for assignment. Kickham has one option remaining.
Fernandez, 24, made five starts last season at Triple-A Tacoma before undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He was 9-8 with a 4.43 ERA over 22 starts in 2013 at Double-A Jackson.
Kickham was the Giants’ sixth-round pick in the 2010 draft and pitched briefly in the big leagues in each of the past two years — going 0-3 in 14 games while allowing 37 earned runs and 54 hits in 301/3 innings.
Huijer, 21, was 6-9 with a 5.08 ERA last season in 28 games (24 starts) at Lo-A Clinton. He signed with the Mariners in 2011 as a non-drafted free agent.
NUMBER CHANGES
Manager Lloyd McClendon finally has a new uniform number after surrendering 23 to newcomer Nelson Cruz. McClendon will wear No. 21, which was previously worn by Kendrys Morales.
Outfielder Stefen Romero and bench coach Trent Jewett are also changing numbers. Romero is changing from No. 7 to No. 17, which formerly belonged to first baseman Justin Smoak.
Romero’s old number is going to outfielder Seth Smith, whom the Mariners acquired last month from San Diego for reliever Brandon Maurer.
Jewett will wear No. 45 after surrendering No. 33 to another newcomer, left-hander J.A. Happ.
BOBBLEHEAD/FIREWORKS ALERTS
The Mariners released their 2015 promotional schedule, which is highlighted by six bobblehead giveaways and four fireworks displays.
Here are the bobblehead dates:
— Felix Hernandez (in a crown and royal robe) on April 18 vs. the Texas Rangers.
— Fernando Rodney (firing an imaginary arrow) on May 9 vs. the Oakland Athletics.
— Kyle Seager on June 2 vs. the New York Yankees.
— Nelson Cruz on July 11 vs. the Los Angeles Angels.
— Jamie Moyer (to mark his entry into the club’s Hall of Fame) on Aug. 8 vs. the Rangers.
—Robinson Cano on Aug. 22 vs. the Chicago White Sox.
Prefer fireworks? Here are those four dates, and each has its own theme.
— May 29 (I Love the ’90s) after the game against the Cleveland Indians.
— June 19 (Star Wars) after the game against the Houston Astros.
—July 24 (Ballpark-wide singalong) after the game against the Toronto Blue Jays.
—Aug. 21 (Songs of Summer) after the game against the Chicago White Sox.
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