The Mariners have started to trim down at spring training, optioning Guillermo Heredia to Double-A Jackson and reassigning six others to minor league camp Sunday.
Heredia, a 25-year-old outfielder from Cuba the Mariners signed last month, was a defensive replacement in center and saw his first at-bat in Cactus League play in Saturday's split-squad loss to the Dodgers. He bunted runners over in his plate appearance.
Mariners manager Scott Servais told members of the media Sunday that sending Heredia to Double-A will give Heredia a chance to get comfortable in his new country.
"The culture change is going to be the biggest hurdle to overcome.