The Associated Press

SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners exercised manager Bob Melvin's 2005 option Tuesday despite their poor start.

Seattle entered its game against Minnesota last in the American League West at 9-16.

Melvin signed a two-year contract with an option in November 2002, succeeding the popular Lou Piniella. Previously, Melvin was a bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Melvin managed the Mariners to a 93-69 record last season, but the team missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

• Seattle released right-hander Kevin Jarvis, meaning the team must pay the remainder of his $4.25 million salary.

Jarvis, 34, was 1-0 with an 8.31 ERA in eight relief appearances this season. He allowed 20 hits in 13 innings, including eight hits and seven earned runs over a three-inning span of his last two outings.

He joined the Mariners in the six-player trade that sent infielder Jeff Cirillo to San Diego in January.

The Mariners also recalled right-hander Rafael Soriano from a minor-league rehabilitation assignment and placed infielder Willie Bloomquist on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Sunday, because of a strained lower back.

GIANTS: Barry Bonds was out of Tuesday's lineup because of a sinus infection but hopes to miss just one game. He leads the majors in home runs (10), batting (.463) and on-base percentage (.704).

RED SOX: Darrell Johnson, who managed Boston to the World Series in 1975, died Monday of leukemia at his home in Fairfield, Calif. He was 75.

EXPOS: Montreal recalled right-hander Jeremy Fikac from Triple-A Edmonton and placed left-hander Rigo Beltran on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Thursday.

Fikac, who also has pitched for Oakland and San Diego, began the season with Montreal and had a 4.66 ERA and no decisions in seven appearances before he was sent to Edmonton on April 25.

Beltran strained his left oblique muscle Sunday.