The Mariners just posted their lineup for today’s exhibition against the Padres, and for the first time they’ll meet the never-enforced Cactus League mandate that they have at least four regulars.
That’s been a problem because of injuries and World Baseball Classic commitments for the first two exhibitions. Today, however, Jose Lopez is at second base and Russell Branyan at first after both dealt with bad backs, Adrian Beltre will make his first start (although at DH) and Franklin Gutierrez is in center field after getting a day off. Left-hander Erik Bedard will make his first spring start.
Here’s the lineup:
Ronny Cedeno, shortstop
Jose Lopez, second base
Russell Branyan, first base
Adrian Beltre, DH
Bryan LaHair, left field
Mike Morse, third base
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Prentice Redman, right field
Rob Johnson, catcher
It appears the Mariners are being more careful than first planned with Beltre, who is coming back from offseason shoulder and thumb surgery. Manager Don Wakamatsu said Thursday that Beltre would play the field. Hmmm.
The next two days are important to Beltre and the Mariners. He is hoping to give his newly repaired body parts — the shoulder and thumb — a good test before deciding if he’ll play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
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