M’s trim roster, say goodbye to Olivo, Kawasaki

In what figures to be the first few of many roster moves, the Seattle Mariners bid farewell to two players Tuesday afternoon.

Miguel Olivo will be an ex-Mariner for the second time after Seattle declined to pick up the $3 million club option on the veteran catcher. And utility infielder Munenori Kawasaki was released from his major league contract.

Both moves were expected considering the direction the organization is heading.

With Jesus Montero and John Jaso on the roster, Olivo didn’t figure into the Mariners’ future at catcher.

Olivo played in 87 games this past season, hitting .222 (70-for-315) with 12 home runs and 29 RBI, but he also struck out 85 times and had an on-base percentage of just .239. He started 68 games, but with Montero and Jaso clearly the future for Seattle, Olivo’s starts and playing time dwindled during the second half of the season.

Kawasaki brought a gregarious and energetic presence to the organization in his first season. But he hit just .192 (20-for-104) with a double and seven RBI after appearing in 61 games, 25 of them starts.

With the two moves, and the activation of left-hander George Sherrill, the Mariners have 39 players on their 40-man roster. It leaves them room to claim a player that has been released by another team.