The common thinking with a prospect is that he’d better play regularly when he’s called up to the majors or he’d be better off staying in the minor leagues.
Then there’s the Mariners’ situation involving Adam Jones, who’s not considered a starter but also isn’t your average bench player.
Manager John McLaren, mindful of the chemistry on a veteran-dominated team, continued to describe Jones’ role delicately on Saturday, one day after the Mariners called up the 22-year-old from Class AAA Tacoma. He said Jones wouldn’t be harmed by sitting the bench in Seattle, but he also made it clear Jones would get plenty of playing time.
“I’ve got no obligation to play him,” McLaren said. “He reached a stage in Triple A where he doesn’t have anything to prove there. Even if he doesn’t play here, just being around the atmosphere watching our veteran players is going to help his progress.”
McLaren said he would base lineup decisions on the day-by-day needs of the team and use Jones accordingly, whether it’s starting him in the outfield or bringing him off the bench.
“We’re gong to get him in there, but I’m not going to sit here and say we’ll play him three times a week or five times a week,” McLaren said. “I respect our veteran players. They’re the ones who got us to this point and I’ll never lose sight of that.
“On the other side of the coin, (Jones) is a great young talent and he can bring something to the table for us. There’s a give and take there and we’ll do the best we can to utilize him in a number of different ways – coming off the bench, pinch-running, defense, pinch-hitting, playing left, playing center.”
Huber throws: Injured pitcher Jon Huber, on the disabled list since June 9 because of a strained right forearm, looked strong in a one-inning simulated game Saturday afternoon.
“We were happy with what we saw. He had good velocity, a good breaking ball, good changeup,” McLaren said.
Huber will begin a rehab assignment Monday with the Tacoma Rainiers, where he’ll pitch three times for an inning each.
“Then we’ll see where we are with him,” McLaren said. “When Jon is healthy, he’s a very serviceable pitcher. He’s got a real good slider, a nice changeup and he pitches inside. We’re just trying to get him healthy right now.”
Booing Bonds: With hordes of Red Sox fans among the sellout crowds the past two nights, Safeco Field has been the scene of dueling cheers and jeers.
They were in unison for a few moments when a video replay of Barry Bonds’ record-tying 755th career home run was shown before the bottom of the third inning. The crowd booed loudly, with only a few faint cheers to be heard.
Of note: First baseman Richie Sexson, whose average dropped to .196 after an 0-for-4 game Friday, didn’t start Saturday for the second time in three games. … How clutch has Yuniesky Betancourt been at the plate? He hit his sixth home run on Friday, and all six have given the Mariners a lead. … Friday’s comeback victory was the Mariners’ 33rd this season, most in the major leagues. … Only scattered single seats remain available for today’s game, which is expected to be the Mariners’ third straight sellout. … Pitching matchups for the series this week at Baltimore are Jeff Weaver vs. Steve Trachsel on Tuesday, Felix Hernandez vs. Jeremy Guthrie on Wednesday and Horacio Ramirez vs. Daniel Cabrera on Thursday.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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