SEATTLE — Milton Bradley has rejoined the Seattle Mariners after two weeks of counseling for personal issues and anger.
His hiatus is over. His process of getting help to deal with what he called “stressors, unpleasant thoughts and feelings I’ve been having” is not.
“I don’t have all the answers. I’m not saying I’m cured,” Bradley said in the clubhouse before Wednesday’s game against Toronto.
He made a brief statement then answered one question before a team spokesman ended the session to let Bradley “focus on baseball.”
“I’m committed to this process,” Bradley said. “It’s the best thing for me.”
The Mariners — his eighth team in 10 seasons — reinstated him from restricted list they had placed him on May 5. That was a day after the man who told The Associated Press in spring training he considered himself “the Kanye West of baseball” erupted when manager Don Wakamatsu removed him from a game following two strikeouts. Bradley was not in the clubhouse when he team returned their following yet another loss of what’s been a miserable season so far.
The next day, Bradley came to Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik asking them to help him.
“It’s early in the whole process. It will be ongoing, certainly,” Zduriencik said of Bradley’s battle with his emotions. “We’re not going to solve it overnight.”
Seattle optioned reliever Sean White to Triple-A Tacoma to make roster room for the 2008 All-Star with Texas.
The sinking Mariners, desperate for run production, didn’t ease Bradley back, even though they expect him to be rusty for a few days because he hasn’t been allowed to be with the team for any workouts while on the restricted list. They had him taking early batting practice with a handful of other Mariners, then had him playing left field and batting sixth against Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil.
Cecil was providing the first live pitching Bradley has seen since May 4 — a night Seattle and Bradley hope proves to be the pivotal one of his mercurial career.
“I’m excited to be back and glad to be part of the team again,” Bradley said. “I’d like to thank the organization for their support, and for them allowing me this time to get myself together and get back on track and get some help for the stressors — things that I’ve been creating, the unpleasant thoughts and feelings I’ve been having and get better focus on the game I love.”
He particularly thanked Seattle’s fans for the “overwhelming” amount of mail and cards of support he said he’s received from them.
He said the city’s people have stopped him on the street to offer encouragement, a continuation of what he has said is the best and most supportive environment he’s been in during his newsmaking career.
Wakamatsu said he intends to play Bradley in left field against left-handed pitchers and at designated hitter against right-handers. That would further limit slumping, 40-year-old Ken Griffey Jr.’s playing time.
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