Saunders in the lineup; looking ahead to Bedard’s return

Some pregame notes after a few minutes with Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu:

Michael Saunders is starting in left field, and Wakamatsu said he’ll get fairly even playing time in left along with Ryan Langerhans while Milton Bradley is on the restricted list. Of course, it’ll depend on how both players perform. Wakamatsu said Saunders appears more relaxed this time around than he was last year when he struggled in 122 at-bats before being sent back down to Class AAA Tacoma.

Pitcher Erik Bedard will throw a 30-pitch simulated game on Tuesday after batting practice in Baltimore. While Bedard is in the final stages of his comeback from shoulder surgery last August, it’s still a little early to gauge when he’ll be on the mound in a real game. One date the Mariners kicked around was May 23, although there’s a good chance he won’t pitch until early June. The key is to build him back carefully and take whatever time is needed to avoid setback. With most of the starters pitching effectively, there’s no need to rush.

The one starter who’s been struggling, left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith, showed up today with his hair buzzed off. It was a haircut courtesy catcher Adam Moore.

Lou Piniella used to say he always made sure to call a team meeting on the day Randy Johnson was pitching. Today, about three hours before Felix Hernandez takes the mound, Wakamatsu closed the clubhouse doors and met with his players.

The message:

“This isn’t a meeting where we have to turn around and win 50 in a row,” Wakamatsu said he told the team. “Let’s look at what’s going on and, more imporatntly, there’s an accountability to the fans and to yourself to play better baseball.”

Wakamatsu also said that, with Chone Figgins struggling in the No. 2 spot in the batting order, there’s no plan to flip him with Ichiro Suzuki.

Shortstop Jack Wilson remains day-to-day because of his tight right hamstring, although he’s available tonight in caes of emergency. Wakamatsu said worst-case that Wilson would be ready to play by Tuesday in Baltimore.

Tonight’s lineups:

ANGELS

Erick Aybar, shortstop

Bobby Abreu, right field

Torii Hunter, center field

Kendry Morales, first base

Hideki Matsui, DH

Juan Rivera, left field

Howie Kendrick, second base

Brandon Wood, third base

Ryan Budde, catcher

Right-hander Jered Weaver, starting pitcher