According to MLB.com, Ken Griffey Jr. is nearing an agreement on a one-year contract to return to the Mainers.

A little more than nine years after being traded to the Reds for four players, Griffey and the Mariners are nearing agreement on a one-year contract.

Griffey, who is playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament this week, could join the Mariners in Spring Training as early as Wednesday — the day of the first full-squad workout.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik would neither confirm or deny that a deal is imminent, saying, “I do not comment on free agents.”

The deal would not be finalized until Griffey passes a physical, which is expected to occur in the Phoenix area.

Griffey had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in October to repair a partially torn meniscus and cartilage and the tending physician said the 39-year-old outfielder has completely recovered.

Griffey has always been one of the best on and off the field. Injuries derailed his career or else maybe we could have been talking about Junior being the home run champ, instead of riodbag Barry Bonds.