Bedard’s shoulder is fine, plus notes and lineups

Manager Don Wakamatsu says the MRI on pitcher Erik Bedard’s sore left shoulder showed no damage. That’s great news to a team that badly needs Bedard to pitch like, well, Bedard if the Mariners hope to make a run in the division.

He’s 5-2 with a 2.47 ERA and pretty much guarantees a good outing when he’s healthy. Wakamatsu said one theory is that Bedard has been dealing with some bursitis in the shoulder, and he also said the MRI made it clear that this ailment isn’t related to the September surgery when Bedard had a cyst removed, along with a general cleanup.

Bedard will need a few days to recover from the MRI and return to the rotation during the Mariners’ next road trip.

In other news:

– Ken Griffey Jr. gets the night off to allow his legs to recover after playing five games in the outfield during the last road trip.

-Pitcher Shawn Kelley (oblique strain) will throw today, pitch a simulated game Tuesday, a bullpen Thursday and, if those go well, begin a minor league rehab assignment.

-Brandon Morrow will continue his transition back to a starting pitcher in the big leagues, which puts him in line to start Wednesday’s game against the Padres. Wakamatsu said he’ll throw 85-90 pitches.

-Ryan Rowland-Smith will continue to start at Class AAA Tacoma as he builds consistency with his pitches. “He’s heading in the right direction,” Wakamatsu said.

-First baseman Russell Branyan returned to the team today after missing Thursday’s game to attend his grandfather’s funeral. Second baseman Jose Lopez remains away on bereavement leave because of his sister’s serious illness.

Tonight’s lineups:

Mariners

Ichiro Suzuki, right field

Russell Branyan, first base

Adrian Beltre, third base

Mike Sweeney, DH

Franklin Gutierrez, center field

Endy Chavez, left field

Chris Woodward, second base

Rob Johnson, catcher

Yuniesky Betancourt, shortstop

Left-hander Jarrod Washburn, starting pitcher