Griffey, Sweeney on the lineup card … sort of

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu is asked daily when Ken Griffey Jr. will play in an exhibition game, and among those prodding him has been Griffey himself.

Today, Griffey’s name showed up on the lineup card, along with Mike Sweeney’s, although you needed reading glasses to see it. In teeny tiny print below the starting lineup, listed among the bench players, were the initials KG and MS in parentheses).

Griffey saw it and called Sweeney over to the wall where the lineup was posted. Sweeney leaned so far forward to read it that his nose nearly touched it. “Oh yeah, there it is,” he said.

Don’t be fooled. Griffey and Sweeney, both getting their legs under them early in camp, aren’t playing today. It was Wakamatsu’s way of having fun with a couple of hitters who are eager to play but are being held back as the club takes protective measures this early in spring training.

Wakamatsu said Wednesday that Griffey wouldn’ t play until Wednesday night against Australia’s World Baseball Classic team.

Here are today’s starters, none who’s projected to be in the opening-day lineup outside pitcher Felix Hernandez:

Endy Chavez, center field

Jeff Clement, DH

Mike Morse, third base

Chris Shelton, first base

Greg Halman, left field

Mike Wilson, right field

Jamie Burke, catcher

Chris Woodward, shortstop

Reegie Corona, second base

Felix Hernandez, pitcher

Felix Hernandez