HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source
Heraldnet.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009 8:20 pm
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
RECENT POSTS:
• Triunfel homers in Fall League Rising Stars game  November 7

• Note to champions: Celebrate in taste, and please lose the eyewear  November 5

• Report: Mariners claim D-backs right-hander Petit  November 4

• Catcher Johnson resting after second hip surgery  November 4

• My World Series prediction, plus thoughts on Griffey and Johjima  November 4
Archives:
RELATED ARTICLES:
• Putz, Pavano file for free agency  November 7
• MLB NOTEBOOK: Manny coming back to Dodgers  November 7
• Report: Lincecum has agreement on pot charge  November 6
• Ramirez to return to Dodgers next season  November 6
• Mets decline 2010 option on former Mariner J.J. Putz  November 6
• Royals trade Teahen to White Sox for Getz, Fields  November 6
• Twins get SS Hardy, Brewers get OF Gomez  November 6
• Mariners, Griffey continue to talk  November 6
• Marlins trade Hermida to Red Sox  November 5
• Yankees’ Girardi aids crash victim after winning World Series  November 5
 

ADVERTISEMENT
Mariners Blog
July 8, 2009

 
ADVERTISEMENT
 

Ichiro gets a "day off" at DH, and other Mariner matters


Posted at 11:59 am by By Kirby Arnold

Nothing really new out of manager Don Wakamatsu's morning briefing with reporters. As expected, Ichiro Suzuki is the DH today as Wakamatsu tries to give him a break after noticing signs of fatigue.

There were more questions about the possibility of moving shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt from shortstop to second base (with Jose Lopez going from second to third and Chris Woodward from third to shortstop) when he comes off the disabled list.

Wakamatsu's basic answer is that it's an option the team is looking at, but it's also a move that may not happen because it also means moving two other players. Then he used Russell Branyan as an example of a player who faced a steep learning curve by just moving to first base in spring training. "With Russell, we had to have cue cards out there."

Betancourt will begin a rehab stint tonight with Class AAA Tacoma, playing second base no less. He'll play shortstop on Thursday.

The Mariners will play another day with a 13-man pitching staff and only three position players on the bench. And, with Suzuki at DH, they'd better hope none of their outfielders gets hurt. The bench consists of DH and sometimes-outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., backup catcher Rob Johnson and infielder Josh Wilson.

Remember Wilson? He's the infielder claimed off waivers last month who is fast becoming the Mariners' next Luis Ugueto. Remember Ugueto? He's the speedy infielder the Mariners took in the Rule 5 draft in 2001 who was little more than a non-factor on the 2002 team. Instead of referring Ugueto by name, former manager Lou Piniella simply called him the "Rule 5 kid." Asked how he planned to use Ugueto, Piniella patted the bench and said, "right here beside me." So far, Wilson has stayed right beside Wakamatsu.

Also, DH Mike Sweeney, on the DL with back spasms, had an X-ray on Tuesday and may have an MRI as the team looks for reasons why his back has continued to lock up this season. Nobody wants to jump to conclusions, but if there's something more serious than spasms you've got to wonder about what it will mean to Sweeney's future.

Here are today's lineups (with Russell Branyan batting third. Hmmm):

ORIOLES
Adam Jones, center field
Nick Markakis, right field
Ty Wigginton, second base
Aubrey Huff, first base
Nolan Reimold, left field
Luke Scott, DH
Melvin Mora, third base
Gregg Zaun, center field
Robert Andino, shortstop

Right-hander David Hernandez (2-2,4.15 ERA)

MARINERS
Ichiro Suzuki, DH
Chris Woodward, third base
Russell Branyan, first base
Jose Lopez, second base
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Ryan Langerhans, right field
Kenji Johjima, catcher
Wladimir Balentien, left field
Ronny Cedeno, shortstop

Left-hander Jason Vargas (3-3, 4.14)
READER COMMENTS
Be the first to comment.
You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet.

To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here.
Log in or register to post new comment | Log out
  Return to Mariners Blog
View All Coupons

Free Garlic Bread/Free Soda
Click here for details!
Major League Pizza

50% off 2nd Pizza
Special Click Here!
Luca's Italian Restaurant

$1 off French Dip
$4.99 Burger Basket
50th Street Burger

20% off Click Here*
Buy 1 Offer Click Here*
Bajio Mexican Grill

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!
American Distributing

Buffet Dining
Tulalip Resort
Eagles Buffet

$5 Off
Stylecut
Third Dimension Salon

FREE Appetizer w/
purchase of 2 entrees
Wild Vine Bistro

$2 OFF
at Box Office
Everett Silvertips

$5 OFF
Lunch or Dinner
Lanna Thai Restaurant

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers
Smokey Point Grooming

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!
Sockeye's Restaurant

QuadraFire Save $250
Free Smart-Stat
Home Town Heating

Family Night Free Sundae
$9.99 Prime Rib
Chopstix - Everett

FREE Appetizer with any
purchase daily 2-6pm
Shawn O'Donnell's

15% Off Your
First Time Purchase
Wine Styles

All you can Eat Buffets
Angel of the Winds
Watershed Restaurant

Great Food
24 Hours a Day
Cedars Cafe

Pacific Northwest
Fresh Cuisine
BlackFish Restaurant

Island Flavors with
Finest NW Ingredients
Tulalip Bay Fine Dining

Free Dessert!
Click here!
Bistro San Martin

Come and Relax
Monthly Specials
T-Spa at Tulalip Resort Casino

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE
American Car Care Center

Island Flavors with
Finest NW Ingredients
Tulalip Bay Fine Dining
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
>> view all top cars
>> view all cars
Top Homes
>> view all top homes
>> view all homes

ADVERTISEMENT
|Contact Us |Advertiser Services |Home Delivery |Newsstand Locations |Classifieds |Feedback |About the Company |Work@the Herald |Site Map
© 2009 The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA.