Ichiro Suzuki Clears Concussion Tests After Being Hit in Head by Pitch

Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki passed concussion tests after a pitch hit him in the helmet Friday during a minor league spring training appearance.

On Saturday, Greg Johns of MLB.com provided the update from M's manager Scott Servais, who's hopeful the legend can return in time for Opening Day next week.

Brandon Mann, a pitcher in the Texas Rangers organization, hit Ichiro and apologized to him after the game, per TJ Cotterill of the News Tribune.

"He was just like, 'I'm totally, totally fine,'" Mann said. "And he was just like, through his interpreter, 'I don't want you to let this affect your pitching. You keep pitching inside.' I appreciated that."

Ichiro has been playing in some lower-level exhibition contests to accumulate extra at-bats while recovering from a prior calf injury.

The 44-year-old Japanese sensation is slated to start in left field until Ben Gamel returns from a strained oblique. He'll typically serve as the Mariners' top reserve outfielder behind Gamel, Mitch Haniger and Dee Gordon when everybody is healthy.

Guillermo Heredia will fill the lineup void if Ichiro isn't available when the M's open the regular season Thursday night against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field.