Opponent: Oakland A’s
When: 1:35 p.m.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: None
Radio: KOMO (1000 AM)
Pitches: Seattle right-hander Ryan Franklin (3-8, 4.46 earned run average) vs. right-hander Kirk Saarloos (3-4, 4.34).
Late-night owl
One of the problems with insomnia is the temptation that comes from watching TV in the wee hours.
Bobby Madritsch, a Mariners pitcher with little to do by day because of his injured left shoulder, has become a connoisseur of cable TV during the overnight hours when he can’t sleep, which is nearly every night.
He’s a fervent fan of Cold Case Files on the A&E network and Forensic Files on Court TV, and he also has sat through a few infomercials.
“That’s how I wound up with the Bowflex,” he said.
Yes, for just $29.95 a month, Madritsch became owner of the new Bowflex Xtreme 2 workout device. So far, he’s pleased with his purchase, with one exception.
“It didn’t come with all the models who were doing the TV commercial,” he said. “That’s OK. It still works well. They’re right, just 20 minutes of work is all you need.”
It’s 20 fewer minutes that Madritsch has to fight the boredom that’s been part of his inactivity because of the injury. He badly wants to pitch but won’t anytime soon, so he comes to the ballpark each day to work out and watch the Mariners play.
“It’s like when I was young and I saw a cool car that I really, really wanted but I couldn’t afford,” Madritsch said. “It’s there in front of you, but you can’t have it.”
Lopez takes a seat: When Bret Boone returned to the lineup as the Mariners’ starting second baseman Wednesday, Jose Lopez went to the bench.
Manager Mike Hargrove wouldn’t say how much Lopez would play now that Boone is starting again, but he made it clear Lopez wouldn’t be a little-used utility player the rest of this season. The Mariners believe Lopez needs to play regularly, either in the majors or at Class AAA Tacoma, to develop.
“I still want to play him some, but on an everyday basis, probably not,” Hargrove said.
Lopez batted .263 in five games and played well at second base during a time when Hargrove pulled Boone from the lineup to work on problems with his hitting mechanics. Hargrove said he never considered keeping Lopez in the lineup once Boone had made sufficient progress.
“It’s very exciting to know that we’ve got Jose Lopez coming,” Hargrove said. “With what Bret has meant to this organization and the career he’s had at this point, he deserves an extended chance. This wasn’t a tryout period for Bret. He was our regular second baseman four or five day ago, and he’s still our regular second baseman.”
Spiezio rejoins Rainiers: Utility player Scott Spiezio, on the DL since April 20 because of a strained oblique, will begin a minor league rehab today with the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers.
He was supposed to begin the rehab assignment Wednesday, but the Mariners decided to push it back a day because of rainy weather in Tacoma.
“I’m ready,” Spiezio said. “I’ve been ready for four days. I’m anxious to play.”
This will be Spiezio’s second minor league appearance. He was progressing well on a rehab assignment with the Rainiers two weeks ago when he injured his back. He has been with the Mariners on this homestand for treatment.
Of note: The Mariners will honor the 1995 division championship team with a pregame ceremony before the July 2 game against the Rangers at Safeco Field. Among players from the 1995 team scheduled to appear are Rich Amaral, Mike Blowers, Chris Bosio, Jay Buhner, Norm Charlton, Edgar Martinez, Jeff Nelson, Doug Strange, Bob Wells, Dan Wilson and Bob Wolcott. … Left-hander Darrell May is listed as the Padres’ starter Friday night against the Mariners in San Diego, but Snohomish resident Adam Eaton remains a possibility to pitch the game for the Padres. Eaton missed a start early this week because of an inflamed tendon in the middle finger of his right hand. An MRI on Monday showed there isn’t a tear, giving Eaton hope that he’d be able to pitch against the M’s. … Two Mariners minor leaguers, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt of Class AAA Tacoma, were chosen to play for the World team in the All-Star Futures Game next month in Detroit. … Matt Tuiasosopo of the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers doubled and scored a run in the West squad’s 4-2 victory over the East in the Midwest League All-Star Game on Wednesday.
Kirby Arnold, Herald writer
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