After 6 weeks away, Adrian Beltre returning to Mariners for opener of Kansas City series

Beltre returning to Mariners

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Gold Glove third baseman Adrian Beltre is returning to the Seattle Mariners.

Manager Don Wakamatsu says Beltre is scheduled to be in the lineup Tuesday for the opening game of a three-game set at the Kansas City Royals.

The Mariners have gone 15-15 since Beltre left June 29 for surgery to remove bone spurs from his left, non-throwing shoulder. His return is on the shorter end of the time doctors originally gave for his recovery.

Beltre is batting .259 with five homers and 31 RBIs in 73 games. Seattle acquired Jack Hannahan from Oakland to play third base while he was out. Hannahan batted .268 in 18 games.

Beltre is in the final months of a $64 million, five-year contract and can become a free agent after the season.