Zunino to rejoin Mariners on Monday

HOUSTON -- Rookie catcher Mike Zunino will be recalled from his injury rehab assignment and join the Mariners on Monday, in time to catch Felix Hernandez's start in the series opener against the Royals in Kansas City.

Manager Eric Wedge said Zunino will be the second Mariner to join the club as a September callup after reliever Tom Wilhelmsen was added to the roster on Sunday.

"I think there's a good chance you'll see Zunino tomorrow, seeing how he's flying today," Wedge said. "Then we'll wait until after the game on Monday and see some more guys on [Tuesday]."

Tacoma ends its season on Monday. The Mariners didn't want to wait any longer to bring Zunino back, however, as he's now played five rehab games with the Rainiers as he returns from a broken hamate bone in his left hand that has sidelined him since July 26.

Zunino, 22, caught all nine innings of Tacoma's 4-0 win over Sacramento on Saturday, going 0-for-4 at the plate. He's hit .111 (2-for-18) with four runs scored, one triple and three walks.

Zunino was the Mariners' first-round Draft choice last year, the third selection overall. He hit .242 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 29 games for Seattle after being called up on June 11 and immediately taking over as the team's starting catcher.