Mariners Update
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, October 2, 2001
Opponent: Anaheim Angels
When: 7:05 p.m.
Where: Edison International Field at Anaheim, Calif.
TV: Fox Sports Net (cable)
Radio: KIRO (710 AM)
Probable pitchers: Seattle right-hander Freddy Garcia (18-6, 3.02 earned run average) vs. right-hander Matt Wise (1-4, 4.43 ERA).
Guillen has setback: Whatever small hopes Carlos Guillen had of rejoining the Seattle Mariners before the end of the regular season received another blow Tuesday, when the ailing shortstop underwent minor surgery.
Diagnosed last Friday with tuberculosis, Guillen has been hospitalized since. On Tuesday, surgery was performed to stop what the team called ‘minor bleeding’ in one of his lungs.
Though no one knew precisely how long the surgery might set Guillen back, it seems unlikely he’ll be ready to play during the first round of the postseason, which begins Tuesday in Seattle.
“We just don’t know much more than that he had the surgery,” manager Lou Piniella said. “What we want most now is for him to be healthy again.
Baseball is secondary to that.”
Bell, McLemore update: Two other ailing Mariners – third baseman David Bell and wonder-sub Mark McLemore – are closer to playing again.
Bell, who hasn’t played since Sept. 10, tested his strained left rib cage by hitting off a tee Tuesday and did so without being stopped by pain.
Barring an overnight problem, Bell will take full batting practice with the team today.
A best-case scenario has him playing this weekend.
As for McLemore, he said the left hamstring that’s troubled him since last week in Texas had improved to the point that “if it were a playoff game today, I’d be in there.”
Since it wasn’t, he wasn’t . And Piniella said he’ll err on the side of caution – McLemore figures to start the postseason at shortstop in place of Guillen.
“He could play (tonight),” Piniella said, “but Thursday at home is more likely. We haven’t pushed anyone all season, and we’re not about to this close to the playoffs.”
Meche update: Right-handed pitcher Gil Meche, out all season after spring shoulder surgery, will undergo another minor operation Thursday in Seattle. This will be an exploratory procedure that doesn’t involve the major muscles or rotator cuff. Depending on what surgeons find, Meche should be ready to resume rehabilitation work in 4-6 weeks.
Tomko gets starting nod: With two spots for starting pitchers in their final four games against Texas, Seattle made the choice for Thursday’s game quickly – it’ll be right-hander Brett Tomko.
Tomko’s last start for Seattle was April 18, and he spent most of his season in Tacoma.
“I’m excited. I worked hard in Tacoma and maybe this is the reward,” Tomko said. “I’ve been able to throw in the bullpen regularly, but I haven’t been in games much – twice since Sept. 5, I think.”
That wasn’t by intent, but with a week of games postponed and the playoffs on the horizon, not many players called up from Tacoma have seen much action.
Just a night off: Ichiro Suzuki is fine, but Piniella had him sitting out when the game began Tuesday. Other starters will be given breaks this final week, too.
Larry LaRue
