Mariners extend Iwakuma's contract through '14

SEATTLE (AP) -- Hisashi Iwakuma and the Seattle Mariners have agreed to a two-year contract with an option for 2015.

The team announced the deal Friday night.

Iwakuma signed with the Mariners last January. The Japanese right-hander began the season in the bullpen before transitioning into the starting rotation in July, and he thrived in a familiar role.

Iwakuma started 16 games for Seattle and went 8-4 with a 2.65 ERA over the final three months of the season. He was 6-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 43 strikeouts over his last nine starts.

For the season, Iwakuma finished 9-5 with a 3.16 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings.