Mariners’ Morrison unlikely to play outfield next season

SEATTLE — Logan Morrison’s strong closing kick makes him a candidate for regular playing time next season either at first base or designated hitter.

But he isn’t, at this point, likely to fill the Seattle Mariners’ need for a right fielder.

“I would say if want to try to maximize our potential to keep him healthy,” manager Lloyd McClendon said, “the outfield would not be an option.”

Morrison, 27, is eligible for arbitration this winter after making $1.75 million this season, when he batted .262 with 11 homers and 38 RBI in 99 games. He played 10 games in the outfield.

“I think he really turned it on, offensively, late in the season,” McClendon said. “You’re intrigued. You wish he could have stayed healthy all year, and you wonder what those numbers would have been.”

Morrison missed nearly two months because of a hamstring injury but batted .321 over his final 51 games with 13 doubles, six homers and 21 RBIs.

Seeking a pitcher

The Mariners are also in the market for a starting pitcher, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said, after patching together their rotation for much of the season because of numerous injuries.

Veteran right-hander Chris Young is a free agent, which leaves the club with a projected rotation of Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton, Roenis Elias and Taijuan Walker.

They also have Danny Hultzen, once viewed as their top pitching prospect, returning from major shoulder surgery — although his innings will be limited after missing all of this season.

Iwakuma, Paxton, Walker and Elias also missed time this season because of injuries.

Retaining Morales

The Mariners also appear lukewarm to the idea of retaining DH/first baseman Kendrys Morales, who recently said he’d bypass the opportunity to become a free agent if he can get an acceptable multi-year contract.

Morales, 31, batted just .207 with seven homers and 24 RBI in 59 games after the Mariners reacquired him from Minnesota in a July 24 deal for minor-league reliever Stephen Pryor.

“We’ll see,” Zduriencik said. “Whenever you talk about any player on your club, the answer is always, ‘What are your options?’ We’re going to be open to everything.”