Before spring training began, manager Don Wakamatsu worried about the middle of his batting order and where the run production would come from. Then the Mariners signed Ken Griffey Jr. and, while no question has truly been answered about what the middle of the order will offer, they’re at least feeling more secure than before. But what if Griffey goes down with an injury? Who bats third then?

Today, Wakamatsu is trying something. Ichiro Suzuki will bat third today against the Brewers.

Wakamatsu spoke with Suzuki about it a few days ago and they’ll talk again today, and this certainly isn’t something the skipper is considering on a regular basis. But if there is an injury, Wakamatsu needs to know what he’s got and, more important, whether Suzuki is on board with it.

Suzuki has batted third several times in his Mariners career, the last in the 2004 season under manager Bob Melvin. Nither Mike Hargrove nor John McLaren tried it since then, but today, Wakamatsu will see if he’ll have a combination that works.

Here’s how the Mariners will line up today:

Endy Chavez, center field

Jose Lopez, second base

Ichiro Suzuki, right field

Wladimir Balentien, left field

Russell Branyan, first base

Kenji Johjima, catcher

Yuniesky Betancourt, shortstop

Ronny Cedeno, third base

Ryan Rowland-Smith, pitcher