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Guti exceeding expectations on comeback trail

But if you're looking for a classic comeback tale, check out Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.

The 32-year-old was a Gold Glove Award winner in 2010 for the Mariners, but Gutierrez has been plagued by injuries and illness ever since. He played just 40 games for Seattle in 2012, 41 more in '13 and then was out of baseball altogether last season, spending the year coming to terms with how to deal with ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritic nerve condition that contributed largely to his years of health issues.

Given a chance to return to the Mariners on a Minor League deal, Gutierrez spent two months with Triple-A Tacoma and then got his shot to help out Seattle in a part-time platoon role.