The Mariners are a beat-up bunch today, and their different-looking lineup goes well beyond what you’d expect in a day game after a night game.
Third baseman Adrian Beltre, first baseman Russell Branyan and DH Ken Griffey Jr. all are out because of ailments that manager Don Wakamatsu considers day-to-day. The plan is to give them today off, then use Monday’s off day as an extra day of rest before the series against the Padres begins Tuesday.
Beltre is out with a bad left shoulder, the result of an awkward dive into second base Friday night. He tried to play with it Saturday night but it stiffened up and he came out of the game after three at-bats. Chris Woodward, 4-for-7 in two game since he was called up, will start at third base today.
Branyan has a tender right forearm after being hit by a pitch Saturday night, and Mike Carp is starting at first base.
And Griffey’s left knee remains tender, the result of five games in the field during the last road trip. Mike Sweeney is the DH today, although he would have been in the lineup anyway against Diamondbacks left-hander Doug Davis.
And don’t forget that second baseman Jose Lopez remains away from the team on bereavement leave because of his sister’s serious illness in Venezuela. Ronny Cedeno will start at second today.
Here are today’s lineups:
DIAMONDBACKS
Felipe Lopez, second base
Stephen Drew, DH
Justin Upton, right field
Mark Reynolds, third base
Gerardo Parra, center field
Miguel Montero, catcher
Tony Clark, first base
Eric Byrnes, left field
Augie Ojeda, shortstop
Left-hander Doug Davis, starting pitcher
MARINERS
Ichiro Suzuki, right field
Chris Woodward, third base
Mike Carp, first base
Mike Sweeney, DH
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Wladimir Balentien, left field
Yuniesky Betancourt, shortstop
Jamie Burke, catcher
Ronny Cedeno, second base
Right-hander Felix Hernandez, starting pitcher
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