Snell, Rowland-Smith switch places in rotation

A few interesting notes before tonight’s series finale againsts the A’s, which will feature another new lineup with Eric Byrnes in left field and Matt Tuiasosopo at first base.

  • Ian Snell isn’t expected to return to Seattle until Thursday after going home to Florida because of a death in his family. Manager Don Wakamatsu, who’d said Snell would make his scheduled start Saturday against the Tigers, now has decided to bump Snell back to Sunday. Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith will start Saturday, which doesn’t impact him because Thursday’s off day keeps him on an every-five-day schedule.

    “That gives us time to give Snell a solid bullpen before Sunday,” Wakamatsu said. “If we need to switch it back later on we can do it with the off-day coming up (next Thursday).”

  • Cliff Lee had his hearing with Major League Baseball today, a conference call that lasted about two hours to discuss his five-game suspension for throwing at the head of Arizona’s Chris Snyder during a March 15 spring training game. Wakamatsu said the Mariners hope to get a final ruling on the length of the suspension in “a couple of days.”
  • Lee and Erik Bedard are playing catch today and remain on schedule for some important duty Friday as they come back from injuries. Lee is scheduled for a simulated game and Bedard a 60-pitch bullpen session.
  • The Mariners’ hitters were out in full numbers this afternoon for early batting practice, which included some detailed work on bunting. It was a voluntary session, but by my count everyone attended except Yuniesky Betancourt (OK, that was cruel).

    “That’s what we talked about yesterday in the meeting,” Wakamatsu said. “When things aren’t well the only way we know how to attack it is to continue the work ethic. That way we can look ourselves in the mirror and say we’re doing everything we can. We’re going to continue to work. I don’t want it to be a reactionary thing. We’re going to do a lot this year, whether it’s team defense or individual hitting or bunting, we’re going to continue to hone the skills.”

  • Wakamatsu said tonight’s lineup is more about getting Tuiasosopo playing time than any thought that the Mariners are backing away from the plan to play Casey Kotchman every day, even against left-handed pitching (lefty Gio Gonzales is starting tonight for the A’s). Kotchman is batting .111 against left-handers (1-for-9) and .263 against right-handers.

    “We came into the season saying Kotchman is our first baseman regardless,” Wakamatsu said. “But you come to that point where who are you going to replace in the lineup to get the other guys to play? This gives Kotchman a day (off) and gets Tui a chance at first base.”

  • And now, tonight’s lineups:

    A’S

    Rajai Davis, center field

    Daric Barton, first base

    Kurt Suzuki, catcher

    Kevin Kouzmanoff, third base

    Jake Fox, DH

    Adam Rosales, second base

    Gabe Gross, right field

    Eric Patterson, left field

    Cliff Pennington, shortstop

    Left-hander Gio Gonzales, starting pitcher

    MARINERS

    Ichiro Suzuki, right field

    Chone Figgins, second base

    Franklin Gutierrez, center field

    Jose Lopez, third base

    Milton Bradley, DH

    Eric Byrnes, left field

    Matt Tuiasosopo, first base

    Adam Moore, catcher

    Jack Wilson, shortstop

    Left-hander Jason Vargas, starating pitcher

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