The Mariners’ “special assistant to the chairman” will give up that title and return to the field for something other than just pregame batting practice and shagging fly balls for 2019 spring training.
In Monday’s media session to wrap up the 2018 season, general manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed that Ichiro won’t be continuing his created front office role within the organization next spring, but will be back on the field as a player.
“Ichi will be in spring training with us,” Dipoto said. “He’ll be with springing training with us, and we’re going to give him an opportunity as both a coaching presence and a player presence.