Bloops, bleeders (and maybe one hit) in a successful simulated game

Cliff Lee threw a 51-pitch simulated game this afternoon at Safeco Field, and both he and the Mariners were so enthused that there’s a specific plan for having him pitch in real games.

Well, except for the little issue of that five-game suspension, which the Mariners may not get a final word on until Monday.

“I was hoping to hear today,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “My best guess, probably Monday.”

Depending on Major League Baseball’s final ruling on the suspension — whether Lee will serve all five games or have it shortened — the Mariners are looking at starting him May 1 or May 2.

Barring setback, Lee is on an every-fifth-day pitching schedule that will have him throw another simulated game Tuesday, then a minor league game on Sunday, April 25. If the suspension is reduced, he could pitch Friday, May 1, against the Rangers; if he serves all five games, his Mariner debut could be the next day, May 2.

Today, Lee limited Adam Moore, Matt Tuiasosopo and Eric Byrnes to little more than lazy fly balls and grounders in three innings. Tuiasosopo blistered a one-hopper at shortstop that Lee counted as a hit (nobody was playing the field).

“The more I threw, the better I felt command-wise,” Lee said. “I threw all my pitches, I felt fine and we’ll continue to move forward. No pain. I felt perfectly normal.”

How impressed was the Mariners’ braintrust?

“If you can fast-forward to the future, on a Friday night you might have Felix, followed by Cliff and shortly Erik (Bedard) will be back,” Zduriencik said. “It’s exciting to think about that.”

Bedard threw a 50-pitich bullpen this afternoon and the Mariners say he’ll throw another one Wednesday, bumping his pitch count up to 60-65 in that one.

Manager Don Wakamatsu said Wednesday that Bedard would throw 60 pitches today. Holding him to 50 is not a sign of any setback or concern, Wakamatsu said.

Other notes today:

  • Ian Snell is back with the team and threw a bullpen today after going home to Florida on Monday because of a death in his family. Wakamatsu said he’s on schedule to pitch Sunday’s game against the Tigers. Ryan Rowland-Smith will pitch today, which Snell was originally scheduled to start.
  • Reliever Mark Lowe, who had a tight back on Wednesday, is better and Wakamatsu said he’ll be available to pitch if needed tonight.
  • A key to the Mariners’ success against Oakland this week? “Our pitchers avoided three-ball counts like the plague,” Wakamatsu said. Mariners pitchers fell into three-ball counts only 14 times in the three-game series, and after Ryan Rowland-Smith’s five-walk game in the opener Monday, starters Doug Fister and Jason Vargas didn’t walk anyone in the next two games.
  • Utility infielder Jack Hannahan will be limited to third base and DH early in his minor league rehab games with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers in order to ease him back from a groin injury. Eventually he’ll play second, third and shortstop. Hannahan will need about 50 at-bats before he’s ready to be activated, Wakamatsu said.
  • Tonight’s lineups:

    TIGERS

    Austin Jackson, center field

    Johnny Damon, left field

    Magglio Ordonez, right field

    Miguel Cabrera, first base

    Carlos Guillen, DH

    Brandon Inge, third base

    Gerald Laird, catcher

    Scott Sizemore, second base

    Adam Everett, shortstop

    Right-hander Jeremy Bonderman (of Pasco), starting pitcher

    MARINERS

    Ichiro Suzuki, right field

    Chone Figgins, second base

    Franklin Gutierrez, center field

    Jose Lopez, third base

    Ken Griffey Jr., DH

    Milton Bradley, left field

    Casey Kotchman, first base

    Rob Johnson, catcher

    Jack Wilson, shortstop

    Right-hander Felix Hernandez, starting pitcher

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

    More in Sports

    A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
    Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

    With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

    Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
    The Seahawks offensive line needs work

    A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

    UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

    The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

    Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

    The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

    Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

    Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

    Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

    Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

    Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

    The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

    Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

    The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

    Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

    With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

    Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1

    The Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Voting closes… Continue reading

    Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

    Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

    Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak adds to staff

    New play-caller for Seattle’s offense brings in familiarity from Saints.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.