Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki is transitioning out of a playing role and will serve as a special assistant to the chairman, effective Thursday, the team announced.
"We want to make sure we capture all of the value that Ichiro brings to this team off the field," general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "This new role is a way to accomplish that. While it will evolve over time, the key is that Ichiro's presence in our clubhouse and with our players and staff improves our opportunity to win games. That is our No. 1 priority and Ichiro's No. 1 priority."
The Mariners said Ichiro -- a 10-time All-Star and the 2001 American League MVP -- will provide input on outfield play, baserunning and hitting while serving as a mentor to players and staff.
The move precludes Ichiro from rejoining the active roster in 2018. Ichiro's agent, John Boggs, said his client is not retiring, however.
"He's taking on a different role for 2018, and 2019 has yet to evolve," Boggs told The Athletic. "... The future has yet to be determined."
Dipoto added that the team hopes to reach a long-term deal that keeps Ichiro with the Mariners.
"With Ichiro's track record of success, his personality, his unique perspective and his work ethic, he is singularly positioned to impact both our younger players and the veterans in the clubhouse," Dipoto said. "We really don't want him to change anything that he's doing right now, with the exception that he will not be playing in games."
Ichiro appeared in 15 games this season after signing a one-year deal with Seattle in March. He was reunited with the Mariners -- for whom he played his first 11 major league seasons -- after leaving the club in a trade to the New York Yankees and later playing for the Miami Marlins.
He was hitting .205 in 2018, with nine singles in 44 at-bats.
If Ichiro doesn't play again, he would end his professional career with 4,367 professional hits spread between MLB and Japan, where he played for nine seasons. He has 3,089 hits in the major leagues, placing him 22nd on the career list.
To fill the open roster spot left by Ichiro, the Mariners added right-handed pitcher Erik Goeddel to the 25-man roster from Triple-A Tacoma.
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