Montero, who has three hits in 15 at-bats this spring with six strikeouts, is working on changing his swing, the Seattle Times reports. "There's a big loop in his swing," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He's going to have to make some changes and we're going to address them. It doesn't happen overnight. ... But these are changes he's going to have to make." McClendon said he wants Montero to pull the ball less and get back to driving the ball to right-center as he did in 2012 when he had 15 homers and 20 doubles. Montero will begin the year at Triple-A Tacoma. An injury to Logan Morrison is probably the only way he gets a callup. Even if he crushes the ball at Triple-A, the Mariners don't have a spot for him, now that he is no longer a catcher.

Montero lost 40 pounds this offseason, the Seattle Times reports.Montero angered the Mariners last season when he showed up to spring training 40 pounds overweight. He's nearing the end of his rope with the organization. "He has a lot to prove," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "And there aren't a lot of expectations there right now." Montero will play first base this year, likely starting the season at Triple-A. If Logan Morrison gets injured, Montero perhaps could be called up -- assuming he's at least competent at first base.

Montero has already pushed his weight down to 235 pounds, the target that the Mariners set for him to begin spring training, the Seattle Times reports. The former top prospect been a disappointment since being acquired by the Mariners from the Yankees in the Michael Pineda deal a few seasons back. He'll compete for a roster spot during spring training, and could make for an ideal platoon partner with Logan Morrison at first base if the Mariners can find the flexibility for a player with significant defensive limitations on their 25-man roster. Most likely, he'll have to prove that his physical and mental transformation this offseason is sustainable by hitting at a steady clip against Triple-A pitching to begin the year.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said that Montero is doing well with his offseason training in Arizona, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. Zduriencik said that he wants Montero to focus on first base this spring, a role that is currently assigned to Logan Morrison. The right-handed hitting Montero could work his way into the smaller side of a platoon with Morrison, if he's able to make enough progress defensively to avoid being a liability in the field. Montero hit .286/.350/.489 with 16 homers and 74 RBI in 97 games at Triple-A Tacoma in 2014.

Montero has been activated from the suspended list and added to the 40-man roster, the Tacoma News Tribune's Bob Dutton reports. Montero was suspended for the rest of the season after a bizarre incident with a team scout in late-August. He'll return to the 40-man roster heading into the offseason, and the Mariners cleard space on the 40-man by designating veteran Corey Hart for assignment.

Montero has been suspended for the remainder of the 2014 season, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. During a recent rehab outing with short-season Everett, Montero was acting as first-base coach when the catcher and a Mariners scout had a disagreement in which the details are currently in question. One thing that is known is Montero confronting and spitting on the scout, resulting in the former's suspension. The 24-year-old reported to spring training this year 40 pounds overweight, which may have been the impetus for the confrontation.

Montero will not play any more baseball this season, Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune reports. During a recent game at Everett while on rehab, Montero received an ice cream sandwich from a member of the Mariners' scouting department. Montero had to be restrained by his team's pitching coach in between innings, as he took a bat and attempted to confront the member of the organization in the stands. The bizarre incident ended Montero's 2014 campaign with a .286/.350/.489 line, 16 homers and 74 RBI, but it will also prevent him from joining the big club when rosters expand Monday.

Mariners optioned DH/1B Jesus Montero to Triple-A Tacoma. It was a one-day stay for Montero, as he's going back to the minors to make room for Kendrys Morales. Montero should be back in September.

Mariners recalled DH/1B Jesus Montero from Triple-A Tacoma. Montero will serve as the DH against the Orioles on Thursday night. His stay in the majors might be brief with Kendrys Morales on the way from Minnesota.

Mariners optioned DH/1B Jesus Montero to Triple-A Tacoma. Montero went 4-for-14 with a home run while up with the big club. The former top prospect returns to a .270/.345/.455 batting line with eight home runs and 40 RBI at Tacoma.