Health report

Published 7:16 am Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Health report

A rare day of rest helped restore smiles to the faces of the worn-out Mariners, and so did the medical report on a few of their injured players.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre returned to the lineup after missing five games to let his sprained left thumb heal. It wasn’t until after Beltre took batting practice and fielded ground balls that he was cleared to play.

Two pitchers, Mark Lowe and Horacio Ramirez, pitched in the bullpen as they get closer to returning.

Lowe (elbow surgery last October) threw 50 pitches and will have another bullpen session Saturday, then probably be scheduled for a simulated game. After that, he’ll likely go on a minor league rehab assignment.

Lowe, whose surgery originally was thought to be career-threatening, has made nothing but positive strides since having scar tissue cleaned out during spring training.

“He hasn’t had anything where we’ve had to alter his program,” trainer Rick Griffin said. “We’ve brought him along slowly because of the nature of his injury, but he’s made really good progress. Every time we’ve asked him to advance to a different level, he’s been able to do it.”

Ramirez, out since May 25 because of left shoulder tendinitis, threw 60 pitches Tuesday and will throw in the bullpen again Friday.

“We’re still looking at a number of days before we have him back,” manager Mike Hargrove said.

Reliever Chris Reitsma (right elbow inflammation) is playing catch and isn’t expected to return anytime soon.

Left-handed pitcher Cesar Jimenez (fractured elbow and surgery during spring training) threw a one-inning simulated game Tuesday at the Mariners’ training facility in Peoria, Ariz., and will continue to throw simulated games as he builds arm strength.

Hitting dribblers: The lanky kid with the No. 2 Mariners jersey stepped into the batting cage. A prospect the M’s are looking at? A recently signed draft pick?

Hardly.

Former Gonzaga University basketball player Dan Dickau, now playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, spent Tuesday afternoon at the ballpark and took a few swings. Both Dickau and Sexson, who is four years older, graduated from Prairie High School.

Guest coach: Darrin Brown, manager of the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers, is spending a few days this week with the Mariners. Don’t read anything into it, Hargrove said.

“It gives our Double-A and Triple-A managers a different perspective,” Hargrove said. “It gets them a look at the major league talent and the level of play here.”

Hitting coach Terry Pollreisz is managing the Rainiers while Brown is with the Mariners. Eddie Rodriguez, manager of the Mariners’ Class AA West Tennessee team, will spend four days next week with the M’s.

It’s common for a few minor league managers and coaches to spend time with the big-league club, but that’s usually done in September after the minor league seasons have ended.

“Typically in September, they see most of the players they’ve had all year,” Hargrove said.

Ouch: After Ian Snell, the Pirates’ scheduled starter Tuesday, was scratched because he burned his hand while cooking, Hargrove was asked if he hurt himself in an unconventional way.

There was, Hargrove admitted, the time he burned his arm while trying to iron the sleeve of his shirt. While he was wearing it.

“Not a good move,” Hargrove said. “I had a sleeve (that was wrinkled) and it was really loose, so I tried getting the iron close to it. The steam really scorched me. Burning flesh doesn’t smell very good.”

Of note: Sexson’s error in the first inning Tuesday was his first this season, ending a streak of 541 errorless chances going back to Sept.22, 2006. … The series against the Pirates has brought back several ex-Mariners – pitchers Damaso Marte and Salomon Torres (who’s on the DL), pitching coach Jim Colborn, hitting coach Jeff Manto and bullpen coach Bobby Cuellar. … As of Tuesday afternoon, less than 5,000 tickets remained for each of the three weekend games against the Reds and former M’s star Ken Griffey Jr.

Tonight’s game

Opponent: Pittsburgh Pirates

When: 7:05 p.m.

Where: Safeco Field

TV: FSN (cable)

Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)