The Mariners added some experienced depth to their pitching staff Thursday, signing right-handed reliever Yoshihisa Hirano to a one-year contract and Wei-Yin Chen to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Hirano, Seattle designated left-handed pitcher Ricardo Sanchez for assignment. The Mariners now have seven days to trade, release or outright Sanchez’s contract.
“We’re glad to have Yoshi on board,” said Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a news release. “We believe his combination of experience and bat-missing ability brings needed stability to our bullpen.