One of the big stories heading into the Mariners’ 2012 season was manager Eric Wedge’s decision to move Ichiro Suzuki out of the leadoff role he had known since coming to Seattle in 2001, and into the No. 3 spot in the lineup.
Suzuki has been one of the Mariners better hitters this season, but has not been hitting well with runners in scoring position, which is obviously not what you want in a three hitter. Wedge insisted a few weeks ago that he wouldn’t move Suzuki back to leadoff when Figgins lost his spot in the lineup, but today, for the first time in 2012, Suzuki will lead off. It remains to be seen if this will be a permanent change, but for now anyway, Suzuki is back in his old spot in the lineup.
Also, the Mariners announced today that they have recalled hard throwing righty Stephen Pryor from AAA Tacoma.
Pryor was 0-0 with 9 saves and a 0.64 ERA (0 ER, 28.0 IP) in 21 relief appearances combined between AAA Tacoma (0 ER, 12.0 IP) and AA Jackson (2 ER, 16.0 IP) in 2012. Opponents hit just .121 (12×99) off of Pryor, who had 39 strikeouts and 12 walks in those 28 innings.
The 22-year-old is potentially the Mariners future closer, but Wedge may not throw the youngster into that role immediately.
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