The Mariners have sent 10 players to their minor league camp, none of the moves a big surprise.
Right-handed pitcher Luis Pena and left-handed pitcher Justin Thomas were optined to Class AAA Tacoma; right-handed pitchers Stephen Kahn and Marwin Vega optioned to Class AA West Tennessee; and right-handed pitchers Erik Hull, Luis Munoz and Denny Stark, left-hander Chris Seddon and outfielders Freddy Guzman and Prentice Redman re-assigned to the minor-league camp.
Again, no big surprise but Stark does stand out. This is Stark’s second year since missing two years because of two Tommy John elbow surgeries. The fact he’s pitching again — and pitching well — is a great story. He pitched in six exhibitions with a 3.00 ERA.
Here’s the lineup for tonight’s game against the Royals:
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Yuniesky Betancourt, shortstop
Mike Sweeney, DH
Adrian Beltre, third base
Russell Branyan, first base
Wladimir Balentien, left field
Rob Johnson, catcher
Mike Wilson, right field
Ronny Cedeno, second base
Jarrod Washburn, starting pitcher
No Ken Griffey Jr.? Hey, it’s a night game on the road. Junior will do those when the season begins.
Manager Don Wakamatsu just answered the question of when Griffey will play the field. That’ll happen Thursday night when the Mariners face the Padres (conveniently, it’s a TV game).
Wakamatsu said Griffey’s legs are holding up well and he’s scheduled to play each of the next three days — Thursday night in left field against the Padres, Friday afternoon at DH against the Brewers and Saturday afternoon in left field against the A’s. Griffey will get Sunday and Monday off before returning to the lineup Tuesday.
Not only will it be interesting to see how Griffey gets around in the field, I’m curious to see what three straight days of at-bats will do for his swing. It’s been clear that Griffey doesn’t have his timing at the plate; he hasn’t truly squared up a ball.
Other notes from today’s pre-workout meeting with Wakamatsu:
-Roy Corcoran, slowed because of biceps tendinitis, will throw on the side Thursday.
-Brandon Morrow (tight right forearm) is throwing a bullpen this afternoon. Wakamatsu said again that it will be difficult to have him ready when the season begins, meaning someone else will take the No. 5 spot in the rotation (likely Ryan Rowland-Smith).
-Erik Bedard (sore right butt muscle) will throw a bullpen Thursday and start Sunday’s game in Mesa against the Cubs. He should be ready for the season, although Wakamatsu admitted there’s little wiggle room if Bedard has a setback.
-Tyler Johnson, the Mariners’ best hope for a left-handed relief specialist, will throw a 20-pitch simulated inning after batting practice.
-Wakamatsu said defense will be the determining factor in who wins the backup catcher job. Right now, it’s a race between Jeff Clement, who has that attractive left-handed bat but is continuing to develop as a catcher, and Jamie Burke, a veteran who wont hit much but knows how to handle pitchers.
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