David Aardsma has elected free agency.

Aardsma was activated from the 60-day disabled list and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 29-year-old was going to be non-tendered after undergoing Tommy John surgery in July, but today's transactions allows him to enter free agency sooner. Seattle bypasses his final year of arbitration. Aardsma saved 69 games for the M's during the 2009-10 seasons. We probably won't see him again in the big leagues until late-2012, but someone will undoubtedly take a chance on him with an incentive-laden deal.

Larry Stone of the Seattle Times considers David Aardsma (elbow) "a strong candidate to not be tendered a contract" this winter.

It's not a surprise, as Aardsma will likely miss at least the first half of 2012 following Tommy John surgery and, in his final year of arbitration, would receive a raise from his 2011 salary of $4.5 million. It's possible he could wind up re-signing at a lesser rate. The 29-year-old saved 69 games for the M's during the 2009-10 seasons.

David Aardsma underwent successful Tommy John surgery Friday.

He will begin his rehab on Monday in Arizona. Aardsma, of course, is done for the 2011 season and won't be ready to return to the Mariners until late in the 2012 season, at the earliest.

David Aardsma will undergo Tommy John surgery next Thursday.

This completes a nightmare season for Aardsma, who began the year on the disabled list following hip surgery. He was shut down in May with what was termed "forearm stiffness" and was later diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He recently started throwing from the mound, but apparently suffered another setback. We won't see him again in the big leagues until late-2012 or perhaps 2013.

David Aardsma (elbow) made 30 throws from 60 feet Monday.

It was his first time throwing since he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain of his ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow last month. "Obviously, you're trying to think positively about everything," said Aardsma. "You're going to have your reservations, but it went well. I'm not sitting there thinking about every throw, but it's hard not to. We weren't pushing it." Aardsma is expected to take a day off Tuesday before throwing again on Wednesday, but he's obviously a long way from pitching with the Mariners again. Brandon League will continue to handle ninth-inning duties for the foreseeable future.

Mariners transferred RHP David Aardsma from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Aardsma is still shut down with soreness in his elbow and might not make it back to the majors this season. Brandon League will continue closing for the M's.

David Aardsma (hip) doesn't expect to regain his closer job right away.

Brandon League has converted all eight save chances with Aardsma on the DL. "It would not be smart," he said. "I have to pitch against big-league hitters and show that I can get guys out. I have to show that I can take a role in the bullpen. Brandon's doing a heck of a job." Aardsma was recently shut down with forearm tightness, but he's not worried about it. "It's one of those things that crept up a little bit," Aardsma said. "It wasn't too bad and then it got a little tighter and tighter. We're being real cautious with it and it's getting better every day."

David Aardsma (hip) has been shut down for a few days with forearm stiffness.

The good news is that Mariners manager Eric Wedge says it's not a concern and Aardsma will be back on the mound soon. Hopefully it's not something that developed because he was overcompensating for his hip. His rehab had gone smoothly to this point, so with any luck this will be just a minor bump in the road.

David Aardsma (hip) will likely need a few more rehab appearances before being activated.

Aardsma struggled Saturday, allowing two of the four batters he faced to reach base -- one via a hit by pitch and the other via a double. His next appearance for Triple-A Tacoma is expected to come Monday, and he'll probably pitch in at least one more game for them. Aardsma's velocity has been down in the 90-92 mph range instead of 93-95, but Mariners manager Eric Wedge thinks he'll regain the zip on his heater with a couple more outings. The most important thing is that Aardsma's surgically-repaired hip feels healthy.

David Aardsma (hip) will make another rehab appearance Friday for Triple-A Tacoma.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge said there's no timetable for the reliever's return from the DL, and he indicated that Aardsma might need a few more rehab appearances. "He continues to settle in and feels good, but still needs more repetition," Wedge said. "He walked the first guy and then gave up a triple, but really pitched and got out of it from there. Obviously, he had to work a little, which is a good sign. He had to really bear down, which is a good sign, too. We just need to give him the time he needs to be more comfortable on the mound."

David Aardsma (hip) allowed one run in one inning Tuesday in his fourth rehab appearance with Triple-A Tacoma.

Aardsma walked the first batter before giving up an RBI triple, but settled down from there. All told, he 12 out of 21 pitches for strikes while walking one and striking out two. He should be activated from the disabled list in the next couple of days. Aardsma has struggled a bit during his rehab stint, so he's no lock to get the closer role back from Brandon League right away.

David Aardsma (hip) will make a fourth rehab appearance at Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.

Aardsma should be activated from the disabled list soon after. He's expected to recapture ninth inning duties from Brandon League within a week of returning, though League has been nearly flawless and should remain owned in deeper mixed fantasy leagues.

David Aardsma (hip) will make his third rehab appearance for Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

How he looks will determine if he makes one more rehab appearance or is immediately recalled. Brandon League has filled in well in the ninth inning during Aardsma's absence, but it shouldn't be took long before Aardsma is again serving as the Mariners closer.

David Aardsma (hip) gave up two runs on two hits -- including a home run -- over one inning of work Tuesday in his first minor league rehab appearance with Triple-A Tacoma.

Aardsma walked two and threw just 10 out of 22 pitches for strikes. The important part is that he left the outing feeling good, but the Mariners will hope for better results in subsequent outings. He'll make a few more appearances before being activated from the disabled list and will likely take back the closer role from Brandon League rather quickly.

David Aardsma (hip) will make three or four rehab appearances before rejoining the Mariners.

Aardsma is set to begin his minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday night with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. As long as everything goes smoothly, he should be back in a big league uniform by early next week. Brandon League has pitched well in the ninth with Aardsma sidelined but will return to a setup role.

David Aardsma will pitch for Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday in his first rehab appearance.

Brandon League is three-for-three in save opportunities, but also has given up three earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. The closer's job will be Aardsma's once he returns.

David Aardsma (hip) is scheduled to throw two simulated innings Saturday.

Aardsma was originally scheduled to throw Friday, but it was pushed back before the Royals wouldn't take the tarp off the field. He'll throw a long bullpen session Saturday if they encounter the same issue Saturday. Either way, he's very close to a rehab assignment. Look for him to be activated from the disabled list right around the end of the month.

Mariners manager Eric Wedge was impressed with David Aardsma's (hip) simulated game Tuesday.

He'll throw another sim game Friday and then go out on a rehab assignment. Wedge also confirmed that Aardsma will be his closer when he's ready to return, in case you had any doubt. He should be ready before the end of the month.

David Aardsma (hip) fielded bunts off the mound and played long-toss Monday.

Aardsma, who underwent hip surgery in January, is inching closer to his return. He threw 41 pitches in a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled for a simulated inning Tuesday. There's no official timetable from the team, but he's on track to return in late-April or early-May. Brandon League will continue to handle save chances for now.

David Aardsma (hip) said he was "lights out" in a 30-pitch bullpen session Sunday.

The Mariners closer "really let it go" during the last 10 pitches. Aardsma seems to be progressing really well and should be able to return at some point before the end of the month if he doesn't have any setbacks. Brandon League is currently working the ninth inning for the M's.