SAFECO FIELD -- The Mariners activated right-handed reliever Steve Cishek from the 10-day disabled list on Monday.
Cishek had missed the first six weeks of the season as he continued to recover and rehab from offseason surgery to repair a labrum issue in his hip.
It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this much -- I’d say adrenaline, but that’ll happen later if I get in the ballgame -- just excitement," Cishek said. "I’m just excited to be back. It’s been a long journey."
Cishek appeared in 62 games for Seattle in 2016. He compiled a 4-6 record with a 2.81 ERA and 25 saves before losing that role to Edwin Diaz midseason.
"We'll try to ease him back into it and get his feet back under him, so to speak," manager Scott Servais said. "It's been a while since he's been here but glad to have him back. Obviously he means a lot to our bullpen, had a nice year last year and it's another arm down there that we can match up against some righties and see how he does."
The Mariners optioned left-handed pitcher Zac Curtis to Triple-A Tacoma to free up a spot for Cishek on the 25-man roster.
Meanwhile, second baseman Robinson Cano was scratched from the lineup as he continued to deal with a right quad strain that will keep him out for a fifth straight game Monday night. Cano was initially written into the lineup by Servais on Monday. However, Cano was ultimately deemed unable to play following pregame evaluations.
"He's in the lineup," Servais said prior to making a final call on Cano. "... I haven't heard final, final (word) if he is going to be in there but I came in hoping, wishing he is in the lineup today so until I hear otherwise, he is in the lineup."
Cano suffered the injury last week in Philadelphia. After playing with the issue the following day, Cano missed the entire four-game series in Toronto.
In addition to Cishek's return, Servais had positive updates on outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-handed starter James Paxton.
Haniger hit off a tee in the batting cage and did some light throwing prior to Monday's game against Oakland. He's going to continue to ramp up his activity this week with a target of heading out on a rehab assignment this weekend.
"Taking is slow as as far as building up each day,” Haniger said. "No hiccups yet. Everything’s great, and hopefully it keeps going smoothly."
Haniger was placed on the disabled list on April 26 with a strained right oblique. The plan is for Haniger to rejoin the team sometime on the team's upcoming road trip to Washington, Boston and Colorado.
Paxton is expected to throw a bullpen session either Wednesday or Thursday as he begins to near a rehab assignment as well. Paxton went on the DL on May 5 with a strained left forearm.
Photo Credit: CHICAGO, IL - JULY 31: Steve Cishek #31 of the Seattle Mariners pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 31, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Mariners 7-6 in 12 innings (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)