Free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco is returning to the Seattle Mariners, multiple outlets reported.
The Athletic pegged Polanco’s contract at one year for $7.75 million, adding it includes a 2026 vesting option based on plate appearances in 2025.
The Mariners had yet to announce the deal, which is pending a physical, as of Friday morning.
Polanco, 31, had an offer from the Houston Astros, who would have moved Jose Altuve to the outfield and played Polanco at second base. He is expected to man third base for the Mariners.
Seattle acquired Polanco in January 2024 via a trade with the Minnesota Twins but declined his $12 million team option after the season.
He had surgery on Oct. 10 to repair the patellar tendon in his left knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.
In 2024, the switch hitter set career lows with a .213 batting average, a .296 on-base percentage and a .651 OPS in 118 games. He had 16 home runs, 45 RBIs and a .355 slugging percentage.
Polanco, a native of the Dominican Republic, spent his first 10 seasons with the Twins (2014-23) and was selected to the American League All-Star team as a shortstop in 2019.
He is a career .263 hitter with 128 homers, 492 RBIs, a .330 on-base percentage, a .435 slugging percentage and a .765 OPS in 950 games.
