After the events of the past three days – three trades that sent five players from the Mariners organization in return for six coming back to the M’s before the trade deadline – this basically take-a-deep-breath day.
Well, it is for everyone but relief pitcher Chris Ray.
He’s been dealing with a strained lat muscle and today landed on the 15-day disabled list. The Mariners replaced Ray by recalling left-hander Aaron Laffey from Class AAA Tacoma only two days after he was optioned to Tacoma.
Normally, players are required to stay in the minors 10 days after being sent down, but in a DL situation like this the Mariners were allowed to bring Laffey right back. He didn’t throw a pitch for the Rainiers.
“We haven’t used (Ray) in three or four days, trying to give it a little bit of time,” manager Eric Wedge said. “With a pitcher, you push that too soon and tear that thing, you could go from two weeks to two months. He’s starting to get a little bit better.”
After the unsettled nature of the club over the weekend with trades that sent pitchers Doug Fister, David Pauley and Erik Bedard from the big-league team, the clubhouse today seemed more business – or play — as usual.
Felix Hernandez, Jack Wilson and Miguel Olivo kicked a soccer ball around one end of the clubhouse, somehow not breaking either a TV, another teammate or a reporter nearby interviewing an outfielder. Let’s just say they’re all good with a soccer ball, but they’re no Xavi Hernandez (Google it, kids).
At the other end, reliever Shawn Kelley not only was explaining his next rehab outing (scheduled for Tuesday afternoon with the Tacoma Rainiers), but also his plan to spice up Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. He suggested earlier in the day via Twitter (@shawnkelley23) that convicted murderers and rapists could be used as bait.
Uh, sure, Shawn. Let me know what episode is going to air so I’ll be sure not to watch.
Kelley also had an observation about pitcher Jason Vargas, who moved his locker to the other end of the clubhouse in the cubicle formerly used by Bedard.
“I think Jason moved down there because Felix likes having a goofy left-hander next to him,” Kelley said.
Reliever Josh Lueke dug into the pink backpack he’s required to carry to the bullpen (rookie thing) and grabbed a tube of Super Glue. He then dabbed some glue on the knot in the leather laces on the back of the webbing.
“Dan Cortes is my throwing partner, so I’ve got to do this to make sure the knot doesn’t come undone,” Lueke said. “The guy throws 100 miles an hour. I don’t want one of those coming through my glove and hitting me in the face.”
Other pregame notes:
• Struggling first baseman Justin Smoak, whose average is down to .218 (.201 left-handed), is getting his second straight day off as he works on mechanical issues with his swing and also gets a mental break. Wedge said Smoke will start tomorrow night’s game.
“I had a good talk with him yesterday,” Wedge said. “It just gets him away from it a little bit, physically and mentally. He’s doing what he needs to be doing, he’s fighting the good fight. He’s going through what he needs to go through to find out just what type of big-league player he’s going to be. I think he’s going to be a good one.”
• Wednesday’s starter remains TBA, although if you’re looking for clues, here’s one: The Tacoma Rainiers scratched left-hander Anthony Vazquez from his scheduled start tonight. Vazquez is 3-2 with a 3.24 ERA.
“We’re keeping our options open,” was all Wedge would say about Wednesday’s starter.
• Wedge continues to talk about going to six starting pitchers in order to ease the workload on his young starters.
“I’m not sure if now is the right time to do that. Right now, we need to let the dust settle a little bit,” Wedge said. “I would like to give (Charlie) Furbush the opportunity to start at some point in time. But I want to look beyond that, too.”
Furbush, acquired in Saturday’s trade with the Tigers, needs time to build his pitch count before he’ll start.
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