Mariner update

Next series

Opponent: Oakland A’s

When: 7:07 p.m. today, Tuesday and Wednesday, 12:37 p.m. Thursday.

Where: McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

TV: Fox Sports Net, all four games.

Radio: KOMO (1000 AM), all four games.

Pitchers: Today — Seattle left-hander Jarrod Washburn (4-7, 5.08 earned run average) vs. left-hander Dana Eveland (6-5, 3.24). Tuesday — Right-hander Carlos Silva (4-10, 5.85) vs. right-hander Justin Duchscherer (9-5, 1.96). Wednesday — Right-hander Miguel Batista (4-10, 6.35) vs. right-hander Joe Blanton (5-11, 4.76). Thursday — Right-hander R.A. Dickey (2-4, 4.36) vs. left-hander Greg Smith (5-7, 3.62).

Shoulder shelves Bedard

The first month of the season, it was his left hip. Later, back pain.

Now, Erik Bedard has a tender left shoulder and won’t make his scheduled start Wednesday at Oakland.

Manager Jim Riggleman believes it’s not serious and that Bedard will miss only a few days. He’ll probably pitch a game next weekend at Kansas City, Riggleman said.

“He just has some tightness in his shoulder,” Riggleman said.

Riggleman had said Saturday he believed Bedard was pitching hurt, and that’s a reason the left-hander hadn’t thrown more than 100 pitches in his last six starts. Friday, Riggleman pulled him after five innings and 99 pitches.

“My only concern is his hip and back,” Riggleman said. “We took him out of the game because the game situation dictated it. But after the game he told the trainer that his arm (shoulder) was tight.”

Miguel Batista, who’s had his own back problems this season but pitched impressively in relief both Saturday and Sunday, is the likely starter Wednesday.

“With the ability of Batista coming back, we just feel that we will give (Bedard) an extra day or two days, whatever it is,” Riggleman said. “He has been checked out and everything looks good. He felt better yesterday. We’ll see where we go with it.”

While there’s a chance Bedard may not pitch until after the All-Star break, Riggleman doesn’t expect it.

“Reports from the trainer and doctor is they think it will be all right,” he said. ” I guess that would be a possibility if he’s not. But we’re anticipating that he will pitch later this week.”

Riggleman again said Bedard has been criticized unfairly for his inability to pitch deeper in games.

“He’s taking 100 pitches to get through five innings, and if your back hurts, hip hurts or something else hurts, you just get out of sync with your delivery,” Riggleman said. “I think that was another example the other day. If his shoulder was tight, he probably was trying to give all he had and he should be commended for that. I think he has really gutted it out for us, whereas the perception has been that he’s been coming out.”

“He’s mentioned, ‘I am not a five-inning pitcher. I pride myself in going deep into ballgames,” Riggleman said. “He hasn’t physically been able to do that.”

Of note: Felix Hernandez threw off the bullpen mound Sunday morning and, if his session Tuesday goes as well, will come off the disabled list and start Friday in Kansas City. … Riggleman said closer J.J. Putz remains on schedule to come off the DL after the All-Star break but, “I wouldn’t say immediately. It seems to me that if everything goes good here the next week, maybe sometime during the break he could get a rehab appearance and maybe one more after that. Without having all the info, I would guess a week after the break.” Riggleman said Putz wouldn’t close games his first few times back.

Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.