Next series
Opponent: L.A. Angels
When: 7:10 p.m. today, 6:10 p.m. Saturday, 1:10 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Safeco Field
TV: FSN, all three games.
Radio: ESPN 710 AM
Pitchers: Today — Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez (2-2, 3.10) vs. right-hander Jered Weaver (3-1, 3.19). Saturday — Right-hander Doug Fister (2-1, 1.29) vs. left-hander Joe Saunders (1-5, 7.04). Sunday — Left-hander Jason Vargas (2-2, 3.36) vs. right-hander Ervin Santana (1-2, 4.02).
Bradley on restricted list, begins treatment
The first day of Milton Bradley’s recovery process from mental stress brought his first therapy session on Thursday and a move by the Mariners to place him on baseball’s restricted list.
Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said the team chose to use the restricted list because Bradley could return from that in as little as five days compared with the 15-day minimum he’d be out if placed on the disabled list.
Don’t count on Bradley’s issues to be solved anytime soon. It will take the collaborative efforts of Bradley, psychologists and the team to determine when he’ll be in a position to play again.
“The timeframe is yet to be determined,” Zduriencik said. “I don’t know the answer to this because I’m not a professional in this field. We will get recommendations as we go through this process. I will be in touch with Milton.”
Zduriencik refused to say if Bradley would be paid — he’s due $9 million this year — although Major League Baseball’s definition of the restricted list says a player does not receive pay.
Here’s the definition, according to Major League Baseball’s Rule 15:
Players on the restricted list do not count towards the Reserved List (40-man) or Active List (25-man) limits. Players on the restricted list do not receive pay, and may not sign with another team. A player may remain on this list for two consecutive years before he is removed — either activated or released. Often, placing a player on the Restricted List is akin to releasing him without fully relinquishing his rights. However, sometimes younger international signees can be placed on the Restricted List while they are finishing school.
The Mariners called up outfielder Michael Saunders from Class AAA Tacoma. Saunders, who batted .221 in 122 at-bats with the Mariners last year, was batting .200 with the Rainiers this season but had gone 8-for-18 in his past five games.
Manager Don Wakamatsu said Saunders would share playing time in left field with Ryan Langerhans.
Bradley won’t be allowed to be in uniform with the Mariners during the time he’s on the restricted list. Zduriencik said he could use the Mariners’ facilities to work out but couldn’t be with the team during on-field workouts or games. Bradley will remain in Seattle for his therapy, Zduriencik said.
“He will have his own ways of keeping himself in shape and I think he’ll do the best that he can to stay sharp,” Zduriencik said. “What we’re looking for is a positive result. I do not know the length of time that this will take. Certainly I hope it happens sooner than later. I hope that we’re not involved in this thing for a lengthy period of time, and I don’t think that will be the case. I think we will see some headway in a period of time and we’ll move forward.”
Shortstop Wilson day-to-day
Even with Saunders replacing Bradley’s roster spot, the Mariners played a man short Thursday night because of shortstop Jack Wilson’s sore right hamstring. He felt tightness while running the bases early in Wednesday night’s game and was replaced by Josh Wilson.
Manager Don Wakamatsu said Jack Wilson’s status was day-to-day and that he was available for Thursday’s game in case of emergency.
Catcher Rob Johnson, who had X-rays on his right hand after Wednesday’s game, suffered bruised knuckles and was sore but started Thursday night. He was hit by a foul tip in the eighth inning and went to the mound for a few words with Cliff Lee hoping the pain would go away.
“I said, ‘Cliff, I think my hand’s broken,’” Johnson said. “I couldn’t move it. It was weird.”
Lee’s reponse?
“He said, “Yeah, it looks pretty bad,’” Johnson said.
Of note
Erik Bedard will pitch a simulated game Monday or Tuesday. It’ll depend on whether he can get the session in Monday before the team flies from Seattle to Baltimore. If not, he’ll do it before Tuesday’s game against the Orioles. … Mariners starters entered Thursday night’s game third in the American League with a 3.42 ERA, but their average of 6.32 innings per start was second behind the Rays’ 6.52.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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