Mariners Update

Today

Opponent: Oakland A’s

When: 7:10 p.m.

Where: Safeco Field

TV: FSN

Radio: ESPN 710 AM

Pitchers: Seattle left-hander Jason Vargas (0-1, 8.44 earned run average) vs. left-hander Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 3.00).

M’s hope Lee returns in May

Cliff Lee’s recovery from a strained abdomen has been such a success that the Mariners are targeting a return date for their star left-handed pitcher.

The most likely scenario is May 1 if Lee remains on an every-fifth-day schedule that will begin in earnest on Friday when he’s scheduled to face hitters for the first time since the injury in a simulated game.

Manager Don Wakamatsu said Lee probably would need two minor league rehab starts in order to push his pitch count near 100. Barring setback, that would put him in line to start the May 1 game at Safeco Field against the Texas Rangers.

Given Lee’s strong recovery, the biggest uncertainty may be his five-game suspension from a March 15 incident in spring training. Lee is scheduled to participate in a hearing today to explain his side of a confrontation with the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chris Snyder. Lee threw a pitch near Snyder’s head two innings after they had collided when Lee attempted to back up a play at home plate.

“We’ve got a couple of scenarios in place based on his health and the other issue h e has going on, and we’ll go from there,” pitching coach Rick Adair said.

Lee threw 63 pitches in the bullpen Tuesday in a session that Adair said was typical of any pitcher, injury or not.

“He looked great. He feels good,” Adair said.

Wakamatsu said Lee was so strong Tuesday that he may throw more than the scheduled three innings in the simulated game Friday.

“We may see if we can bump it up to three or four innings because he feels so good,” Wakamatsu said.

Besides Lee’s simulated game, recovering pitcher Erik Bedard will throw 60 pitches off the bullpen mound Friday as he continues his impressive comeback from shoulder surgery in August.

Bedard played catch Tuesday and will long-toss today before throwing what Wakamatsu describes as “an extended bullpen” Friday. Bedard is well ahead of original estimates of pitching in June or July and could be pitching in May.

Wak’s message: show some personality

Strong pitching will make a team look dull, but Wakamatsu said the Mariners lacked personality in their 4-0 loss to the A’s in the home opener Monday, and he discussed that with the team Tuesday.

“We talked about having some personality out there,” Wakamatsu said. “Yesterday, I watched that game in front of 45,000 fans and I didn’t see the personality in our players. A lot of that is because they’re all trying to do too much and trying to carry the club.”

As he said after Monday’s game, Wakamatsu believes too many players have drifted from team goals and tried too hard to make an impact individually. Monday, the Mariners had wanted their hitters to drive the ball to the opposite field against A’s starter Justin Duchscherer; instead, too many tried to pull the ball and were easy outs.

“We have to rely on each other and start functioning as a group,” Wakamatsu said. “It’s so early in the season that it’s going to take some time to really have an identity as a ballclub. I’m not asking them to win 10 in a row. I’d love for that to happen but what I’m saying is that we have to play the game a little more intelligently. When you play with a monkey on your back and play for what other people think, that puts a lot of self-imposed pressure on yourself.”

Wakamatsu said losing three of four games in the opening series at Oakland last week created self-doubt.

“All of the sudden you start questioning how good you are,” he said. “It’s a long season and we just have to make sure to keep these guys’ spirits up and get them to realize that we are going to work through some things and get this thing turned around.”

Of note

His average was .045 going into Tuesday night’s game, but Milton Bradley was tied for seventh in the American League with six walks. … Chone Figgins’ single off pitcher Brett Anderson’s glove in the third inning Tuesday ended an 0-for-13 skid by the Mariners’ first two hitters (Ichiro Suzuki and Figgins) going back to the fifth inning Sunday at Texas. … On opening day, Ken Griffey Jr. became the 27th player in big-league history to play in at least four decides, and he was joined on that list by two former Mariners _ Omar Vizquel with the White Sox and Jamie Moyer of the Phillies.

Read Kirby Arnold’s blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com/marinersblog

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hawks beat ‘brothers from the south’ to earn state bid.

Tulalip Heritage wins Tri-District game, pride against Muckleshoot Tribal School.

Stanwood junior Ellalee Wortham (2) lunges toward the basket past several Monroe defenders to attempt an underhand layup in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. Wortham scored 33 points in the 59-41 win for the Spartans, eclipsing 1,000 career points. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Wortham hits 1,000 career points, leads Stanwood to state

A 33-point outing led to a 59-41 win against Monroe in the Girls 3A District 1 semifinals.

Shorecrest senior Cassie Chesnut attempts a free throw in the Scots' 47-23 win against Snohomish in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls basketball upsets Snohomish in District 1 3A semis

An 18-0 third-quarter run allows Scots to blow by top-seeded Panthers 47-23.

Arlington junior Tre Haines stands atop the podium after winning the District 1 Boys 4A Wrestling 157-pound championship on Feb. 8 in Mill Creek, Washington. Lake Stevens senior Jarrell David placed second, Arlington junior Marquell Butler placed third and Lake Stevens sophomore Felix Ramsey placed fourth in the weight class. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald).
Arlington’s Tre Haines embraces pressure on path for glory

The two-time state wrestling champion will aim to ‘3-peat’ at Mat Classic XXXVI this weekend.

The Shorewood bench reacts to 3-point shot during the 3A district playoff game against Shorecrest on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Meadowdale, Shorewood keep state hopes alive.

The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Arlington, GP punch state tickets.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-15

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 9-15. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Jim Moore: New M’s TV analyst Angie Mentink will silence the doubters

Angie Mentink steps in broadcast booth to fill void left by Dave Sims’ departure.

Tips Week in Review: Everett splits at Prince George, beats Victoria

Eric Jamieson’s hat trick against Victoria highlights Presidents’ Day Weekend

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Everett qualifies 13 girls for Mat Classic

Mia Cianega wins at 190 as Seagulls place third at district wrestling tournament.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

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.