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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 Mariners drop Vidro, send Morrow to the minors By Kirby Arnold Herald Writer SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners continued to look toward 2009 today with several moves, including one that rids them of designated hitter Jose Vidro. The Mariners designated Vidro for assignment, meaning they have 10 days to trade, release, option or assign him to the minor leagues. Outfielder Wladimir Balentien was called up from Class AAA Tacoma for his second stint in the major leagues this year. He’s in the lineup for tonight’s game against the Minnesota Twins. In addition, the Mariners optioned relief pitcher Brandon Morrow to Tacoma, where he will begin his conversion to a starting pitcher. He’s expected to start Wednesday’s game against Albuquerque. Vidro, little more than a singles hitter in a role that typically requires power and run production, had a .234 batting average with seven home runs and 45 RBI in 308 at-bats this year. He played 232 games since signing with the Mariners before the 2007 season, with a two-year totals of a .285 average, 13 homers and 104 RBI. The Mariners had tried to move Vidro to another team before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline but had no takers. “We wanted to have every opportunity to try and trade him,” interim general manager Lee Pelekoudas said in a release from the team. “Even though that opportunity may still exist, now that we’ve passed the July 31 deadline it was important for us to continue our transition into a club that is looking towards the 2009 season, even as we try to win as many games as possible this season.” Balentien played 32 games between April 30 and June 16, batting .196 with four home runs. After returning to Tacoma, he batted .270 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI, and had an eight-game hitting streak before being called up today. The move of Morrow has been anticipated for some time, waiting only on J.J. Putz to be healthy enough to return to his closer duties. Morrow had 10 saves in the closer role while Putz was on the disabled list for about a month and a half. “We have long viewed Brandon as a starter,” Pelekoudas said. “He pitched his way onto the team in 2007, giving us an opportunity to acclimate him to the majors in a relief role and, at the start of this season, we thought his greatest value to the team in 2008 was in the bullpen. “However, as our season progressed and it became obvious we were not going to reach the goals we had entering this year, we began internal discussions on the best time to convert Brandon back to a starting role. We believe that giving him time to stretch out in Tacoma and then, hopefully, make some starts for the big league club before spending the 2008 offseason preparing to come to camp as a starting pitcher for 2009 is the best route for his development.” Morrow went 1-2 with a 1.47 ERA, the third-lowest ERA among relievers in the American League. To make room for Morrow on the roster, the Mariners called up right-hander Jared Wells from Tacoma. Wells was acquired from the Padres in the Cha Seung Baek trade early this season.

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