Ichiro Suzuki is nearing a return to the Seattle Mariners, who are working to finalize an agreement with the former franchise icon, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
USA Today Sports first reported Monday that Ichiro and the Mariners were close to a one-year major league deal.
The Mariners announced earlier Monday that outfielder Ben Gamel will miss four to six weeks with am oblique injury, jeopardizing his availability for Opening Day and opening a potential roster spot for the 44-year-old Ichiro.
Ichiro's deal with Seattle could be completed as early as Monday, the source told Crasnick.