Ichiro Suzuki's "goal is to be playing" for the Mariners when the team opens the '19 season with a two-game set in Tokyo against the A's -- despite the fact he has accepted a front-office position with the team, according to T.J. Cotterill of the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE. Mariners Exec VP & GM Jerry Dipoto noted that the team can expand its "active roster from 25 to 28 players for the trip." The team on Thursday announced that Ichiro is "moving into a non-roster role" as Special Assistant to the Chair and that he will not play the rest of '18. However, Dipoto said, "He'll continue to prepare like he's a player. You'll see him out here taking batting practice." Cotterill notes the Mariners "aren't exactly sure" what Ichiro's role will entail, and they are "hoping to figure that out as they go" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 5/4). In Seattle, Ryan Divish notes Ichiro "smiled when asked about the possibility of playing" against the A's in Japan next year. Ichiro: "That's kind of far away, but it's a far goal that I think I can work toward. I can continue to work and have that goal" (SEATTLE TIMES, 5/4). Author Robert Whiting, who has written several books about Japanese baseball, said, "Maybe the reason he hasn't announced his retirement is that they are going to bring him back next year to play in Tokyo for the Mariners. It would draw a big crowd and a big TV audience. And then he can officially retire" (AP, 5/4).
