Mark Lowe isn’t hurt badly enough to go on the disabled list, but the Mariners decided the best way to deal with his sore left foot was to option him to Class AAA Tacoma.
The Mariners made that move Monday, two days after Lowe suffered a bruised left foot when he was hit with a line drive by Oakland’s Frank Thomas.
Lowe expects to be out just a few days, but even that length of time strains an already ragged bullpen that has lost Arthur Rhodes (traded to the Marlins) and Brandon Morrow (in Tacoma becoming a starter) in the past month.
The Mariners called up right-hander Randy Messenger to pitch in long relief and hope to bring Lowe back Tuesday if his foot allows. Because Tacoma’s season ends Monday, the team can call Lowe up immediately and not adhere to the usual 10-day period after optioning him. That’s one reason he didn’t go on the disabled list.
“We think that he will be able to pitch before the DL time is up and we can bring him back much earlier this way,” manager Jim Riggleman said.
Messenger went 6-0 with one save and a 2.38 ERA in 12 appearances with Tacoma. The Mariners signed him July 10, one day after the San Francisco Giants released him. Messenger, who pitched 29 games for Class AAA Fresno, asked for that release.
“I just didn’t feel things were right over there,” he said. “These guys were willing to give me an opportunity, and I came over here and things have been good ever since.”
The Mariners wanted to bring him up Aug. 1 but he was involved with his wife in the birth of their first child, daughter Francesca. The Mariners called up Jake Woods instead.
Silva to start Sunday: Carlos Silva, on the disabled list since Aug. 16 because of biceps tendinitis, is scheduled to start Sunday’s game in Cleveland. The Mariners must move someone off the roster to make room for Silva, but they can fill that spot Sept. 1 when rosters expand.
Erik Bedard played catch for a second straight day — 50 throws from 90 feet off flat ground — but there’s no timetable for having him move up to a mound.
Catcher Jeff Clement’s left knee remained sore although Riggleman plans to start him tonight.
Yuni’s form: Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, known for his wild swings and impatience at the plate, batted second for the fourth straight game Monday night. He’d gone 3-for-11 with two walks since Riggleman moved him to No. 2, but rarely took an at-bat deeper than three pitches.
Still, Riggleman was satisfied with Betancourt’s approach, saying hitting coach Jose Castro and bench coach Lee Elia have worked with him on swinging at good pitches.
“They’re getting into his head pretty good about that kind of stuff,” Riggleman said. “He’s made some better decisions but it’s not just about taking pitches. It’s about recognizing the difference between balls and strikes, and I think he’s done a better job with that.”
Riggleman said Betancourt probably would bat ninth again when the Mariners face a right-handed starter. They’ve faced left-handers in all five games of this homestand.
Of note: The Mill Creek baseball team that reached the Little League World Series and the Stilly Valley 11-12 year-old state championship softball team will be honored before the Sept. 9 game against the Rangers. … Tickets remain available in the peanut-controlled areas, Sections 310 and 312, for the Sept. 9 game. … Former Mariner Eddie Guardado, traded to the Twins from the Rangers earlier in the day, arrived at Safeco Field just before gametime.
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