Mariners update

  • Tuesday, August 17, 2004 9:00pm
  • Sports

Rafael Soriano underwent major reconstructive elbow surgery Tuesday – ending this season and likely next – but the Seattle Mariners have opted to hold off on shoulder surgery for closer Eddie Guardado.

“They’re going to try 4-to-6 weeks of rehabilitation and see where that takes them,” manager Bob Melvin said after being briefed on the decision.

“The hope is, rehabilitation can allow him to avoid surgery on the rotator cuff altogether.”

If that happens, Guardado could be ready to pitch at full strength next spring. The alternative, according to the team, is that Guardado undergoes surgery to repair the tear and, more than likely, misses most or all of the 2005 season.

As it turns out, however, Guardado will have one operation in the next 7-to-10 days – on his left knee, which has bothered him since spring training.

After that, Guardado will be on a rigid physical therapy program designed to heal his left shoulder.

What are the chances it will work? The Mariners will revaluate Guardado in October to see if the injury has improved. If it hasn’t, he can still have surgery then.

No matter which option the Mariners take, it’s almost certain that Guardado’s three-year contract will be fulfilled – whether he pitches or not. The contract includes a mutual option. The Mariners have until a certain offseason date to accept their option for 2005, but even if they decline, Guardado has an option to return.

The deal repeats before the 2006 season.

Madritsch’s tatoos OK’d: Umpiring supervisor Steve Palermo watched pitcher Bobby Madritsch warm up in the bullpen, a highly unusual move, before rendering the opinion that Madritsch need not be required to wear long sleeves to cover his tattoos, which he was forced to do against the Twins last week.

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