As part of the Wednesday event, Mariners team president Chuck Armstrong announced that Edgar Martinez will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame this summer. Not much of a surprise there, considering Martinez's career.

Here's the story and some notes, including changes at Safeco Field, Ichiro contract update and injury updates:

The question was never if but when Edgar Martinez would be inducted into the Seattle Mariners’ Hall of Fame, and that was answered Wednesday.
Martinez, the Mariners’ all-time leader in batting average, hits and games played, will become the fourth member of the team’s Hall of Fame when he is inducted in a pre-game ceremony at Safeco Field on June 2.

The seven-time All-Star played his entire 18-year career in Seattle. He won two batting titles and won designated hitter of the year five times. Upon retiring after the 2004 season, commissioner Bud Selig renamed the DH award after Martinez.

“It was such a joy to watch Edgar grow as a baseball player and a man, and we are so proud that he did it all as a Seattle Mariner,” Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said.

Martinez joins first baseman Alvin Davis, outfielder Jay Buhner and broadcaster Dave Niehaus in the team’s hall.

Changes to Safeco Field

Two changes to Safeco Field – a baseball museum and new premium seating options – were announced.

The Northwest Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame will open the same day as Martinez’s induction. It will be located on the main concourse of the ballpark along the third base line and was funded by the sale of personalized bricks in the Bullpen Market area. It will be open to the public during all home games.

The team converted some suites along the first base line into the All-Star Club. The club is a luxury lounge – featuring a complimentary buffet, cash bar and preferred parking – that can accommodate 140 fans. Prices range from $100 to $125 per person.

More information: 206-346-4001 or SeattleMariners.com/AllStarclub.

No news on Ichiro’s contract

General manager Bill Bavasi said working out a contract extension for Ichiro Suzuki is a “top priority” but not one that has a timetable.
Suzuki’s four-year, $44 million contract expires at the end of the season. In his six seasons since coming to Seattle from Japan he’s been a six-time all-star, won six Gold Gloves and has had at least 206 hits in each season.

''He's a special player,'' Bavasi said. ''But I also think Seattle's a special place for him. He means a lot to us.”

Manager Mike Hargrove, who said Ichiro will play center field, said he recently exchanged emails with Ichiro and that he was excited for the upcoming season.

Injury updates

Trainer Rick Griffin gave a rundown on Mariners recovering from injuries:

• Pitchers Cha Seung Baek (arm fatigue), Sean Green (pulled back muscle), Julio Mateo (broken left hand) and outfielder Jeremy Reed (broken thumb) were 100 percent and would be ready for spring training. Green and Mateo had each pitched in winter leagues and were OK.

• Newly signed outfielder Jose Guillen (Tommy John elbow surgery) and pitcher Chris Reitsma (ulnar nerve transfer surgery) are recovering and should be ready for the beginning of the season and probably sooner.

• Pitcher Mark Lowe (elbow surgery to repair defective cartiledge) is in Seattle working on increasing strength and range of motion. He’s not scheduled to begin throwing at all until February and not competitively until mid-May to early June.

Griffin cautioned that the plan for Lowe is to go slow. He said there’s “no guarantee” the surgery will work for Lowe but the 23-year-old has been making progress.

FanFest this weekend

Felix Hernandez, J.J. Putz and Yuniesky Bettancourt are the headliners at the ninth annual Seattle Mariners FanFest Saturday and Sunday at Safeco Field.

Also expected to appear at the event, which features tours, games and exhibits, are Guillen, Lowe and catcher Rene Rivera.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-14 and children 5-and-under are free. Tickets are available at Mariners team stores, seattlemariners.com, the Safeco Field box office on the day of the event and Ticketmaster.

Darrin Beene: 253-597-8656
darrin.beene@thenewstribune.com