SEATTLE -- When Felix Hernandez wrapped up a disappointing 2016 season in early October, he vowed to work hard this winter to return to "King" status for the Mariners. And his pledge to pitch in some games in the Venezuelan Winter League as well as on Venezuela's World Baseball Classic squad in March remain part of that plan, according to Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto.
Dipoto confirmed reports out of Venezuela that Hernandez expects to join the Navegantes del Magallanes club in late December and pitch in some Venezuela League games for the first time since 2003, when he was a 17-year-old just starting his pro career.