(1090 The Fan) - The Mariners have agreed to a one-year deal with free agent pitcher Joe Saunders, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

The deal becomes official when Saunders passes a physical.

A ground ball pitcher, Saunders figures to be the number two or three pitcher in the Mariners’ starting five rotation.

Saunders, 31, was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks in late August last season to the Baltimore Orioles where he improved his play, posting a 3.63 ERA in seven starts after going 6-10 with a 4.22 ERA for the Diamondbacks.

The Virginia native was the 12th overall pick in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and was named to the American League All-Star team in 2008.

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