Branyan out at least a few days, Johnson day-to-day, Bedard … we’ll see

Manager Don Wakamatsu’s pregame report was mostly a health update this afternoon, with first baseman Russell Branyan, catcher Rob Johnson and pitcher Erik Bedard as the primary topics.

Branyan’s back spasms aren’t considered serious, although Wakamatsu said it probably will be “a couple of days” before he’ll be able to play. “Hopefully we caught it in time and it doesn’t linger,” Wakamatsu said.

Johnson is day-to-day, also with soreness in his lower back after he jammed his left hip while fielding a bunt in Monday night’s game. Wakamatsu said Johnson could catch tonight in an emergency.

Bedard had an MRI Monday on his sore left shoulder and will meet during the game tonight with Dr. Edward Khalfayan, the Mariners’ medical director, to discuss the results. Wakamatsu said we may know Bedard’s status by the end of the game tonight. Oh the drama.

Also, outfielder Michael Saunders, who Wakamatsu said on Monday might be able to play tonight, “is still not ready to play.” Saunders isn’t able to put a good grip on a bat (and that makes him different than most Mariners?) but hopes to be well enough to take batting practice Wednesday and prove he can play.

And now, tonight’s lineups:

WHITE SOX

Juan Pierre, left field

Omar Vizquel, third base

Alex Rios, center field

Paul Konerko, first base

Mark Kotsay, DH

Andruw Jones, right field

A.J. PIerzynski, catcher

Alexi Ramirez, shortstop

Gordon Beckham, second base

Left-hander John Danks, starting pitcher