Cliff Lee, whose left foot has been more stable than his fastball location lately, will face big-league hitters for the first time as a Mariner today when he pitches against the Texas Rangers in Surprise.
Behind Lee will be much of the Mariners’ regular defense, with the exception of Josh Wilson at third base instead of … well … for now, Jose Lopez.
Lee has been set back because of a minor procedure to remove a bone spur from his left foot on Feb. 5. Manager Don Wakamatsu says the foot is fine, although Lee’s control, especially with his fastball, has been hit and miss. He hit two batters last week in a simulated game against minor league batters.
Left-hander C.J. Wilson will start for the Rangers.
And speaking of Wilsons, Jack Wilson is back in the starting lineup for the Mariners after having his right hamstring tighten up on Friday.
Also, center fielder Franklin Gutierrez, who missed the first four games because of a sore right shoulder, will become the first Mariner to start three straight days. First baseman/DH Ryan Garko started games Saturday, Monday and Tuesday (Sunday’s game was rained out).
Here are today’s lineups:
MARINERS
Ichiro Suzuki, right field
Chone Figgins, second base
Milton Bradley, left field
Mike Sweeney, DH
Casey Kotchman, first base
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Adam Moore, catcher,
Josh Wilson, third base
Jack Wilson, shortstop
Left-hander Cliff Lee, starting pitcher
RANGERS
Julio Borbon, center field
Esteban German, third base
David Murphy, left field
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
Chris Davis, first base
Mitsh Moreland, right field
Joaquin Arias, shortstop
Taylor Teagarden, catcher
Ray Olmedo, second base
Left-hander C.J. Wilson, starting pitcher
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