Mariners’ Hart injured, Franklin may return to Seattle

MINNEAPOLIS — Infielder Nick Franklin will likely be recalled from Class AAA Tacoma, perhaps as soon as Tuesday, if his achy back cooperates.

The Seattle Mariners are expected to make a roster move prior to Tuesday’s series opener at Texas following an injury to Corey Hart in Sunday’s 6-2 victory over Minnesota.

“Hopefully, (Franklin’s) back is healthy,” Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. “And then we’ll see where we are. Obviously, we need offense, and he’s certainly an option. …

“We’ll see where we are in the next few days.”

Tacoma scratched Franklin from Sunday’s game at Sacramento. He had been listed as the Rainiers’ starting left fielder. The move came soon after Hart suffered a strained left hamstring at Target Field.

Hart’s injury occurred as he prepared to slide into second on a stolen base in the fourth inning. He is headed back to Seattle for an examination today, but it will be surprising if he isn’t placed on the disabled list.

“I felt something,” Hart said. “Other than my knees, I’ve never had leg injuries. But I know what’s good and what’s not good. It didn’t feel normal. I knew right away that I needed to come out.”

McClendon said he and general manager Jack Zduriencik have discussed recalling Franklin in hopes he could spark a struggling attack. Franklin is batting .376 with seven homers and 26 RBI in 30 games at Tacoma.

Such a move appeared imminent last week before a sore back prompted Franklin’s removal from a game at Las Vegas. He sat out one more day before returning to the lineup.

The Mariners view Franklin, 23, as a utilityman and not a full-time replacement for struggling shortstop Brad Miller. Accordingly, Franklin played the last three games in the outfield in an effort to boost his versatility.

“For him to be able to play a lot of different positions is important,” McClendon said. “Because if he’s going to be here right now, he’s going to have to move around.”

Franklin was 2-for-16 in seven games for the Mariners in a previous recall from April 16-23. He batted .225 last season as a rookie with 12 homers and 45 RBI in 102 games.

26 and counting

Second baseman Robinson Cano went 4-for-5 in Sunday’s victory and matched a career milestone by reaching base at least once for a 26th straight game.

That streak is the longest current run in the majors. Cano also had a 26-game streak in 2012 with the Yankees.

“I’ve been feeling the same way every day,” he said. “I feel good at the plate.”

Cano’s current run began when he went 2-for-4 on April 20 at Miami. He is 37-for-103 in the surge, which has raised his average from .254 to .318.

10 and counting

Center fielder James Jones tied a club record held by Edgar Martinez by beating out an infield single to open the fifth inning. Jones has at least one hit in each of his first 10 career starts. Martinez did that in 1987.

The Twins helped Jones on the play.

First baseman Joe Mauer bobbled the ball, and pitcher Ricky Nolasco was slow to break toward first — and then pulled up short of the base.

Injury updates

Left-hander James Paxton and right-hander Taijuan Walker are scheduled to pitch simulated games Tuesday in Texas after reporting no day-after problems following Saturday workouts.

Outfielder/DH Logan Morrison will bat in both games as a final test to his recovery from a strained right hamstring, which surfaced prior to an April 14 game in Texas.

If Morrison has no problems Tuesday, he is likely to depart for a minor-league rehab assignment to sharpen his game readiness. Such assignments can last 20 days for non-pitchers (30 days for pitchers).

Paxton threw 36 pitches Saturday in a simulated game that marked his first test against hitters since April 8, when a strained left back muscle (latissimus dorsi) forced his exit from a game against the Angels.

Walker threw 55 pitches in his third workout from a bullpen mound since renewed shoulder soreness in mid-April reset his recovery.

Plans call for Paxton to pitch three or four simulated innings, while Walker will likely pitch two innings.

Short hops

Felix Hernandez had a streak of 17 scoreless innings at Target Field before the Twins scored twice in the third. … Twins manager Ron Gardenhire had a successful challenge on a play at first base in the third inning. Opposing managers have challenged six calls this season that benefited the Mariners. Five have been overturned. … The Mariners limited Joe Mauer to one hit in 12 at-bats in the series. He entered the series as a .350 career hitter against the Mariners. Mauer was also 14-for-33 against Hernandez before going 0-for-4 on Sunday. … Justin Smoak had his 11th double and 27th RBI, each of which are club-leading totals. He had 19 doubles and 50 RBIs last season in 131 games.

Minor details

Class Hi-A High Desert right fielder Gabriel Guerrero was picked by Baseball America as its Prospect Hitter of the Day for Saturday after going 5-for-5 in a 9-4 victory over Inland Empire (Angels).

Guerrero, 20, scored three runs, had a double, an RBI and a steal in raising his slash to .339/.385/.491 (batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage).

Looking back

It was 20 years ago today — May 19, 1994 — that Jay Buhner capped “Buhner Buzz” night by scoring the winning run on a walk-off walk in a 5-4 victory over Texas at the Kingdome.

The “Buhner Buzz” promotion granted free admission to 512 fans who agreed to get a Buhner shaved-head haircut.

The Mariners rallied for two runs with two outs and nobody on base in the ninth. Ken Griffey Jr. and Buhner drew walks against Cris Carpenter. After Matt Whiteside replaced Carpenter, Rich Amaral tied the game with a single.

Whiteside then loaded the bases with an intentional walk to Edgar Martinez before Mike Blowers worked a walk that scored Buhner with the winning run.

On tap

The Mariners have an open date today before playing Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon at Texas.

Right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma (2-0 with a 1.59 ERA) will start the series opener at 5:05 p.m. Pacific time Tuesday against Rangers righty Colby Lewis (3-2 and 4.99).

Right-hander Chris Young (3-1 and 3.22) will face Texas righty Nick Tepesch (0-0, 1.69) at 11:05 a.m. Pacific time Wednesday in closing out the road trip.

Root Sports will carry both games.

The Mariners return Thursday to Safeco Field for the start of the season’s longest homestand: 11 games; four against Houston, four against Los Angeles; and three against Detroit.

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