SEATTLE -- Since coming to the Major Leagues in 2012 from Japan, Norichika Aoki has never been in the Minors except for seven rehab games in two separate stints while with the Royals and Giants the last two years.
But the 34-year-old outfielder said he wasn't stunned to learn the Mariners had optioned him to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday as part of a spate of roster moves.
"I haven't been able to produce as I always do and up to my standards," Aoki said through translator Kosuke Inaji. "So I figured that's the way MLB works.