Jose

Yepez

The deal includes an invite to spring training. Yepez, 30, spent about a week on the Mariners’ roster this season, but did not appear in a game. He is a .270/.357/.387 hitter over parts of 11 seasons in the minor leagues and will likely serve as organizational depth.

He’ll replace Erik Bedard on the active roster, though the Mariners still need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster. Yepez, 30, is a .268/.351/.381 career hitter over parts of 10 seasons in the minor leagues. He’ll give the Mariners some extra insurance behind the plate while Miguel Olivo’s status is in limbo.

Yepez was only in the majors for about a week, providing depth on the Mariners’ bench while Miguel Olivo was fighting an injury. The 30-year-old Yepez should pass through waivers and land back at Triple-A Tacoma.

Olivo has been sidelined since leaving Tuesday’s game with muscle cramps in his right hamstring. “He feels better,” said Wedge. “Anxious, a little ornery, irritated. Those are all good things. Today, he’ll take some BP and play catch. Tomorrow, we’ll get him running around a little bit. We’ll see where he’s at. I think tomorrow or the next day he should be OK.” Jose Yepez will likely be sent back to the minors once he’s ready to return.

Yepez successfully cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week. The 30-year-old backstop didn’t make an appearance during his brief time with the big club.