It’s usually not a good sign when tomorrow’s starting pitcher starts to play catch with the pitching coach, then goes back into the clubhouse after only a few throws.
That pitcher is left-hander Erik Bedard and, yes, it wasn’t a good sign this afternoon.
Bedard, who was supposed to make his first big-league start Tuesday for the Mariners since shoulder surgery last August, won’t. Manager Don Wakamatsu said Bedard has discomfort in the shoulder and will be checked out by a doctor this afternoon.
This ranks relatively high on the surprise meter only because of the timing — one day before his scheduled start. It’s been a mostly successful recovery road for Bedard, who has been dogged by shoulder problems that have resulted in two surgeries in his 2 1/2 seasons with the Mariners.
Everything seemed fine during the latter stages of this recovery, including his 4 1/3-inning rehab start last Thursday with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers. He threw a bullpen at Tacoma on Saturday, and that’s when he felt what the Mariners are calling “discomfort.”
Ryan Rowland-Smith will start Tuesday night against the Royals, followed by Doug Fister on Wednesday, Jason Vargas on Thursday in the opener against the Yankees.
“Depending on the news with Bedard, we’ll go from there,” Wakamatsu said.
Also, Milton Bradley isn’t in tonight’s lineup because of stiffness in his legs, Wakamatsu said.
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