The Mariners are splitting the squad today for games against the Cubs (1:05 p.m. at Mesa) and the Dodgers (7:05 p.m. in Peoria). It means the lineups are a bit fractured, although tonight’s game in Peoria will have a pleasant treat – especially if you’re a Mariners front-office exe
cutive about to formulate the 25-man roster.
Catcher Miguel Olivo, who suffered a strained left groin on March 5, will catch Erik Bedard tonight against the Dodgers. He’s expected to play five innings. The plan was for Olivo to play in a minor league game, where the environment is a little more controlled, but he has said all along that he would recover quickly and be ready for opening day. So far, Olivo has held up his end of that plan.
The Mariners also are operating another day without center fielder Franklin Gutierrez, who’s having more tests to sort out his stomach problems. It’s getting more likely that we’ll see either Michael Saunders or Ryan Langerhans in center field on opening night in Oakland, and they’re both starting today (Saunders against the Dodgers, Langerhans against the Cubs).
Here are today’s lineups (note that the Mariners will have a DH in both games while the Cubs and Dodgers will have their pitchers hit):
MARINERS
Jack Wilson, second base
Brendan Ryan, shortstop
Jack Cust, DH
Justin Smoak, first base
Ryan Langerhans, center field
Luis Rodriguez, third base
Adam Moore, catcher
Chris Gimenez, left field
Mike Wilson, right field
Starting pitcher: Left-hander Aaron Laffey
CUBS
Jeff Baker, second base
Starlin Castro, shortstop
Marlon Byrd, center field
Aramis Ramirez, third base
Geovany Soto, catcher
Carlos Pena, first base
Alfonso Soriano, left field
Tyler Colvin, right field
Randy Wells, pitcher
DODGERS
Rafael Furcal, shortstop
Ivan DeJesus, second base
Juan Uribe, third base
Matt Kemp, center field
Marcus Thames, left field
Gabe Kapler, right field
Rod Barajas, catcher
Jerry Sands, first base
John Ely, pitcher
MARINERS
Ichiro Suzuki, right field
Chone Figgins, third base
Milton Bradley, left field
Adam Kennedy, second base
Miguel Olivo, catcher
Michael Saunders, center field
Matt Tuiasosopo, first base
Josh Wilson, shortstop
Josh Bard, DH
Starting pitcher: Left-hander Erik Bedard
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