Mariner notes

Published 11:10 pm Thursday, August 13, 2009

Today’s game

Opponent: New York Yankees

When: 7:10 p.m.

Where: Safeco Field

TV: FSN

Radio: ESPN 710 AM

Pitchers: Seattle left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith (2-1, 3.86 earned run average) vs. left-hander Andy Pettitte (9-6, 4.14)

Extra work for catcher Johnson

Once upon a time in the land of 1970s comedy, Steve Martin would “get small” and make it part of his famous stand-up act. Mariners catcher Rob Johnson has been getting small lately, in a much more infamous way.

Johnson allowed two passed balls and two wild pitches Wednesday night while catching Felix Hernandez, and manager Don Wakamatsu said his catcher has been getting “too small” behind the plate. Johnson didn’t start Thursday’s game against the Yankees, but he spent considerable time in the underground cage working on his defensive mechanics.

“We talk about not getting small back there,” said Wakamatsu, a former catcher. “Guys tend to crouch over a little bit more. I’ll say, ‘Just breathe a little bit more, stay upright, let your hands work a little bit.’ Things like that.”

Wilson out, Wilson up

Josh Wilson stood in the Mariners’ clubhouse Wednesday afternoon wearing a Mariners uniform but not officially a member of the team.

With the left side of the Mariners’ infield in peril because of injuries to third baseman Adrian Beltre and shortstop Jack Wilson, the club had middle infielder Josh Wilson leave Albuquerque, where the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers were playing.

“As far as I know, I’m invisible,” he said as the team prepared to go outside for afternoon work. “Right now, I’m here to watch batting practice.”

Within an hour, his job Wednesday night became much more important. Wilson was in the starting lineup at shortstop replacing Jack Wilson, who suffered a hamstring injury Wednesday night.

M’s mum on draft pick Ackley

Neither general manager Jack Zduriencik nor scouting director Tom McNamara would comment Thursday on the status of their unsigned draft picks, including second overall selection Dustin Ackley.

Teams must sign their draft picks by 9 p.m. Monday (PDT) or lose rights to them.

The Mariners have signed 33 of their 52 draft picks but neither of their two first-rounders, Ackley and shortstop Nick Franklin. Agent Scott Boras represents both players along with five other first-rounders, none of whom has signed.

Kirby Arnold, Herald writer