Pitchers and catchers have finished their work, although the Mariners’ position players are just beginning the fun part of their reporting day. Let’s just say the treadmills are active and rubber gloves are snapping back in the training room area of the clubhouse on physical exam day for
the outfielders and infielders.
Speaking of the outfield, one of the most interesting competitions of camp will be in left field. Manager Eric Wedge wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a battle between Michael Saunders and Milton Bradley for the left field job, but those two are getting most of the attention.
The Mariners need to give Saunders every opportunity to show he can play there, and his bat will be the determining factor. If Bradley can show he’s healthy in both mind and body, he could win that job, Wedge said.
“I think it’s safe to say that if he’s healthy, he can have the greatest impact for us out there,” Wedge said.
As for Saunders, Wedge said he and the coaches – especially hitting coach Chris Chambliss – must get a feel for what’s best for him.
“What we need to figure out is how is he going to be a part of this thing as we move forward, where we see him now and where he needs to be?” Wedge said. “We’ve already had some good conversations with him and now we need to watch him. Watch him take BP, watch him get involved with some of the other drills and once we get into the games we can tell a little bit more.”
Earlier in the day, Bradley told reporters not to ask about his right knee. He didn’t play after July 30 and had arthroscopic surgery on that knee Aug. 17.
Apparently, Bradley didn’t tell Wedge not to ask about the knee.
“The first thing I asked him was about his health,” Wedge said. “I wanted to make sure he feels good and is in a good place physically. We want to work hard and make sure we stay with him to keep him there. It’s a tough game. You look at good players who have some down times, more times than not there’s some sort of injury involved with that. It’s hard enough to play when you’re healthy much less when you’re a little bit banged up. Him being healthy will be a big plus for us.”
Other notes after today’s workout:
• Ichiro Suzuki arrived for his physical exam, and he was stylish as usual. Ichiro wore a sweatshirt with thin horizontal stripes, a backwards cap and jeans with the legs rolled up to flash some calf. Ichiro said hello and shook hands with a couple of reporters, then said he’d talk with us after tomorrow’s workout.
• This was Erik Bedard’s day to throw in the bullpen, and when he didn’t a lot of antenna went up, particularly among those who are closely following Bedard’s comeback from shoulder surgery. Wedge said nothing is wrong with Bedard, and that the team is being a little more careful with him.
Wedge said it was pitching coach Carl Willis’ idea to give Bedard the day off.
“We’re going to give all these guys a couple of days off. We’re just giving Erik his right now,” Wedge said. “His first two bullpens were really good and it’s a good time to give him a break. Let’s try to stay ahead of it.”
• The Mariners’ marketing executives are in town, and shooting will begin Monday on the five commercials featuring players and coaches. Marketing director Kevin Martinez wouldn’t divulge the themes of the commercials, but he did say Ichiro Suzuki, Justin Smoak, Miguel Olivo, Chone Figgins, Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, Franklin Gutierrez, Felix Hernandez, Eric Wedge and some coaches would take part.
• While the Mariners work out on the practice fields at the lower end of the complex, the organization’s mini-camp for 31 selected minor leaguers continues. Besides work on the fields, the mini-campers make appearances around the community, and Friday there were five who spoke to students at a career-day function at a school in Peoria – Nate Tenbrink, George Mieses, Jimmy Gillheeney, Denny Almonte and Jabari Blash.
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