SEATTLE (AP) - Ken Griffey Jr. will be back with Seattle in the near future working with the team in a long-term job to be determined, according to the agent for the now-retired Mariners slugger.

Brian Goldberg told The Associated Press in a telephone interview on Thursday that Griffey's quiet exit from baseball is not the last time these Mariners will see him.

He also said Griffey will return this season for a formal goodbye and retirement ceremony in Seattle.

"I promise you, he will be around plenty," Goldberg said. They were the first words from Griffey's camp since Wednesday's press release by the team that announced the Seattle icon's retirement during his 22nd major league season.

"Actually, this is something that started getting discussed while he was still playing," he said of the job with the team.

He said Griffey's new role is going to be long term. Goldberg said it's unlikely to be one that has Griffey in uniform daily as a coach, at least initially.

Goldberg said Griffey will return this season for some kind of official retirement ceremony on a date that is to be determined.

Mariners spokesman Tim Hevly says the team welcomes opportunities for Griffey to return but that plans are far from finalized.