SEATTLE — The Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers not only will unveil newly renovated Cheney Stadium Friday night when they open their home schedule, they may have a Gold Glove center fielder in the lineup and another big leaguer on the way.
Franklin Gutierrez, who has spent the past three days worki
ng out with the Mariners as he recovers from stomach problems, is expected to join the Rainiers for at least three games on a minor league rehab stint.
“We’re going to shoot to get him out this weekend,” manager Eric Wedge said. “If all goes well, we’ll shoot for Friday in Tacoma.”
A few days later, injured Mariners closer David Aardsma also may be ready for a minor-league stint. Aardsma threw a 28-pitch simulated game Tuesday at Safeco Field and is scheduled for two 15-pitch simulated innings before Friday’s game in Kansas City.
Aardsma has made a smooth recovery from surgery on his left hip in early January, and he could be pitching for the Mariners by the end of the month if he doesn’t have a setback.
Only two hitters put balls in play against Aardsma on Tuesday — Gutierrez with a fly to right field and Chris Gimenez with a soft grounder to shortstop — and he came away from the outing pleased despite spotty control, which he’s confident he’ll regain with more outings.
He bounced a few pitches in the dirt, including one splitter he spiked several feet in front of the plate.
“But the key there is that those pitches were down,” Aardsma said.
He also watched the reaction of the hitters to his pitches, although he noted that the three who faced him — Gutierrez, Gimenez and Ryan Langerhans — were beginning their day and hadn’t taken any batting practice before stepping into the box.
“Still, they were swinging under the ball, and that tells me the ball’s coming out (of his hand) good,” Aardsma said. “You’ve got to see that as a positive.”
Better than that, Aardsma said he doesn’t think about his hip anymore when he pitches.
“I’m at the point where I’m worrying about facing hitters instead of hoping for the best with my hip,” he said.
Double the number
Shortstop Brendan Ryan wore No. 13 when he played with the St. Louis Cardinals and could have had that number with the Mariners. However, he’s wearing No. 26. Here’s why:
“It was my minor league number and that’s my birthday (March 26),” Ryan said. “Turn the page (from his Cardinals years). I want to be twice as good as a Mariner.”
Second baseman Dustin Ackley, now with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers, is assigned No. 13.
Of note
The Mariners set another Safeco Field attendance low Wednesday, drawing 12,407 Wednesday. It beat the previous low of 13,056 on Monday night. … Third baseman Chone Figgins missed his second straight start because of a bruised left hand, but Wedge said he’s much improved and probably will start tonight in Kansas City. Figgins bruised the base of his thumb when he was hit Monday night by a line drive. … Milton Bradley wore ear plugs through most of the game Wednesday, but wasn’t wearing them for his final at-bat in the ninth inning. … Wedge when asked about the poise of 22-year-old pitcher Michael Pineda in his two big-league starts: “That’s one of the reasons we brought him. That and a 97 mph fastball.”
Kirby Arnold, The Herald
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