It’s the Mariners vs. the Cubs (but not Milton vs. the Cubs)

Relax drama freaks, Milton Bradley isn’t in the Mariners’ lineup today against the Chicago Cubs.

Looks like the only smackdown today will happen at University of Phoenix Stadium, just a few miles south of the Mariners’ spring training complex, where Wrestlemania XXVI will leap from the top rope beginning at 3:30 this afternoon.

Want something a little more soothing? Some guy named Paul McCartney is performing at Jobing.com Arena (next door to Wrestlemania) at 7:30.

What happens when 60,000 wrestling nuts converge with 20,000 McCartney fans this evening? Besides mohawks and mullets meeting sweater vests and old Beetle boots, you have me taking side streets to avoid the traffic mess on the 101 Loop on the way home after today’s Mariners-Cubs game (which, by the way, is a sellout).

It looks like Milton Bradley will have a chance for a quick getaway, too. He’s “a little banged up,” manager Don Wakamatsu said, and is getting today off. The timing couldn’t be better, because the last thing anyone needs is Bradley charging to the plate and bowling over the catcher the way he did in Friday’s game against the Indians. Given the ugly way his season ended with the Cubs last year, something tells me a play like that wouldn’t go without a response.

Wakamatsu said Bradley is likely his No. 4 hitter this season, with Casey Kotchman batting third behind Ichiro Suzuki and Chone Figgins.

Other notes this morning:

Erik Bedard will throw from a mound soon. Wakamatsu said it may not be a full-fledged bullpen at first, but Bedard has been so strong in his 120-foot long-toss sessions that it’s time for him to get acclimated to a mound. Bedard will break camp with the Mariners and continue his comeback from shoulder surgery with the team.

That plan for Rob Johnson to catch all nine innings today? Hold that thought for a day. The Mariners had said Friday that Johnson would get his first nine-inning test today, but it’ll happen Monday instead against the A’s in Phoenix.

There’s been no setback in Johnson’s comeback from offseason surgery on both hips. He emphasized this morning that he’s feeling great.

Adam Moore will catch today against the Cubs and Johnson will spend the afternoon on the lower fields getting at-bats in a minor league game.

Cliff Lee’s lower abdominal strain is improving, Wakamatsu said, although it’s still too soon to estimate a recovery time. “Wednesday will be a big day for him,” the manager said. Lee is expected to play catch Wednesday after being shut down for five days.

Utility player Jack Hannahan will fly to Philadelphia on Monday to have his strained groin examined.

Outfielder Ryan Langerhans will get at-bats Monday and Wednesday in minor league games. He’s been shut down a couple of days because of a sore left elbow.

Here is the Mariners’ lineup today:

Ichiro Suzuki, right field

Chone Figgins, second base

Casey Kotchman, first base

Ken Griffey Jr., DH

Eric Byrnes, left field

Franklin Gutierrez, center field

Matt Tuiasosopo, third base

Adam Moore, catcher

Jack Wilson, shortstop

Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith, starting pitcher