Once-promising relief pitcher Dan Cortes, 24, became a free agent Monday night when the Mariners declined to offer him a contract. The Mariners also declined to tender a deal to catcher Chris Gimenez.

Brandon League, Jason Vargas and Shawn Kelley were all offered contracts and will continue through the arbitration process.

Cortes, acquired from the Royals in the Yuniesky Betancourt trade of 2009, had quietly undergone shoulder surgery with team doctor Edward Khalfayan in late October to repair a partially torn rotator cuff and biceps tendon said to have been caused by an offseason fall. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound pitcher also suffered a late-season broken hand in an off-field incident the team declined further comment on.

In 10 games with the Mariners last season, Cortes went 0-2 with a 5.91 earned-run average. He'd also appeared in three games as a September call-up in 2010, impressing with his 100 mph heat, but struggling with his command.

Cortes spoke at the funeral for Mariners outfielder Greg Halman two weeks ago in the Netherlands, still reeling from the loss of his close friend and spring-training roommate.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @gbakermariners. Read his daily blog at www.seattletimes.com/Mariners.