SEATTLE — On the same day that lefty James Paxton returned from the disabled list, the Seattle Mariners could see right-hander Felix Hernandez and outfielder Mitch Haniger moving toward the end of their recovery programs.
If all goes well, Hernandez and Haniger, who each suffered injuries April 25 at Detroit, could head out next week on minor-league rehab assignments. That would be the final step before returning to active duty.
Hernandez reported no day-after problems Wednesday following an encouraging bullpen workout Tuesday in Denver. He tested his recovery from bursitis in his shoulder by throwing his entire repertoire in a 30-pitch session.
Plans call for Hernandez to face hitters while pitching a few simulated innings either Friday or Saturday. If all goes well, he would then depart for a rehab assignment likely consisting of two minor-league starts.
While not certain, Hernandez would likely make his first rehab start June 7 or June 8 at Triple-A Tacoma, which opens a seven-game homestand Monday at Cheney Stadium.
Haniger tested his strained right oblique muscle Wednesday by running and said: “I felt good. Nothing worse.” That represents encouraging news because Haniger suffered a minor setback about 10 days ago while making a similar push.
Plans call for him to take part in pre-game batting practice Friday and — barring setbacks — also on Saturday and Sunday.
“If that gets revved up,” manager Scott Servais said, “he could possibly go out on a rehab (assignment) on Monday.”
Haniger also figures to do his rehab work at Tacoma. If all goes well, he could be ready to return to active duty by the time the Rainiers conclude their homestand on June 11.
Hernandez was 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA in five starts prior to his injury. Haniger was batting .342 with four homers and 16 RBI in 21 games.
Cruz holds early All-Star balloting lead among designated hitters
Nelson Cruz is off to a big early lead in his bid to become the American League’s starting designated hitter in the All-Star Game on July 11 in Miami.
Cruz holds a lead of 174,213 votes over Cleveland’s Edwin Encarnacion in the first balloting update on AL vote totals, released Wednesday by Major League Baseball.
Balloting continues through 8:59 p.m. on June 29. All balloting is conducted online at www.MLB.com and all 30 club websites, including www.mariners.com. Voting updates are released each week.
Robinson Cano ranks fourth among second basemen, and Jean Segura is fifth among shortstops. Both are far behind the leaders.
No other Mariners are cited in the results, which list the top 15 outfielders and top five at all other positions except pitcher. The All-Star pitching staffs are not determined through the voting process.
The National League’s first results were released Tuesday.
Cruz is seeking to become an All-Star for the fifth time in his career. He was selected as a starter in 2014 and 2015 and served as a reserve in 2009 and 2013. He has 457,050 votes; Encarnacion is second at 282,837.
Cano is a seven-time All-Star who was voted as a starter on five occasions. He was the Mariners’ only representative last season but faces a steep climb this year to win his way into the starting lineup.
New York’s Starlin Castro leads all second basemen with 516,268 votes, but Houston’s Jose Altuve is a close second at 515,732. Cano has 159,557.
Segura was picked as a National League reserve in 2013 while playing for Milwaukee. Cleveland’s Francisco Lindor leads the balloting with 602,238 votes with Houston’s Carlos Correa a distant second at 253,518. Segura has 169,487.
Short hops
The Mariners scored 10 runs on Tuesday — or one more than in a 1-7 skid from May 19-27. … The Mariners had a season-high 19 hits in Tuesday’s victory. Their previous high was 16 on five occasions, including Sunday in a 5-0 victory at Boston. … Segura had the first of those 19 hits when he opened the game with a single. Entering Wednesday, he was 16-for-37 (.432) while leading off a game with two walks and twice getting hit by pitches. His on-base percentage was .488. … Even after winning three straight games entering Wednesday, the Mariners trailed first-place Houston by 13 games in the American League West. The Mariners haven’t been farther from first place since Sept. 25, 2014, when they trailed the Angels by 14 games.
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