SEATTLE — On Wednesday, right-handed reliever David Pauley proved that he could carry the Mariners’ bullpen almost single-handedly, throwing four shutout innings on just 32 pitches.
But help could be on the way.
Injured closer David Aardsma is scheduled to make his second rehab appear
ance tonight in Tacoma, while right-hander Shawn Kelley was back with the team Thursday and pointing toward a June 1 return from elbow surgery.
Kelley, who is on the 60-day disabled list, had been in Peoria, Ariz., at extended spring training. He re-joined the Mariners on Thursday and will accompany the team on its next road trip.
“It definitely feels like there’s a light now at the end of the tunnel,” Kelley said of getting out of Arizona. “That was like extended spring training, but without any of my friends.”
Kelley added that he expects to be “fully game ready” by June 1.
Aardsma is closer to returning, provided his rehabilitation stint continues to go well in Tacoma. Manager Eric Wedge said Aardsma will throw 20 to 25 pitches tonight and will probably need “three or four outings” in Tacoma before he’s ready to pitch for the M’s. Aardsma is on the 15-day disabled list following hip surgery.
For one day, anyway, the Mariners didn’t need Aardsma, Kelley or much else in their bullpen Wednesday. Pauley silenced 12 Detroit Tigers batters and has now retired 18 of the last 19 batters he faced.
“David has been as consistent as anyone we’ve had, from the very first bullpen I saw him throw this spring,” Wedge said. “It’s nice to see that consistency.”
Bradley scratched
Left fielder Milton Bradley was originally in Wednesday night’s lineup but was later removed because of stomach discomfort.
Wedge said before the game that Bradley would probably be available as a pinch hitter.
“He’s just not feeling good,” Wedge said.
That opened the door for Carlos Peguero to make his second consecutive start after getting called up from Class AAA Tacoma earlier this week. Peguero didn’t have the most impressive debut Wednesday, going 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, but Wedge believes the 24-year-old rookie will grow from the experience.
“Your first day is a special day,” Wedge said Thursday afternoon, one day after Peguero struck out to end the game in a 3-2 loss to Detroit. “He had some opportunities, and he went up there, he was aggressive, he swung the bat. We were in the ball game, we had our opportunities, and he was a part of that.”
Pineda time
On a team that includes a 25-year-old, Cy Young-winning veteran at the front of the rotation, there’s beginning to be just as much buzz when No. 5 starter Michael Pineda takes the mound.
The 22-year-old right-hander is scheduled to make his fourth start of the season tonight, when the Mariners host Oakland.
Pineda has been as good as advertised since making the opening-day roster. He has a 2-1 record and 2.33 ERA — numbers that have been even more impressive than ace Felix Hernandez (1-2, 4.33 entering Thursday night’s game).
In Pineda’s only other home start, he allowed one earned run on five hits in 71/3 innings of work. The Mariners beat Toronto, 3-2, in that April 12 game.
Scott M. Johnson, Herald writer
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