PEORIA, Ariz. — Ken Griffey Jr. won’t play first base for the Seattle Mariners, manager Don Wakamatsu says, which makes him one of the few players he isn’t considering for that position.
At least it seems that way.
From Russell Branyan to Jose Lopez, there are six players at spring training either willing or capable of playing first base.
Make that seven if Wakamatsu follows through on his idea of having catcher Jeff Clement field some ground balls at first.
Wakamatsu insisted it’s just a thought, but anything is possible in this camp.
“I’ve challenged the coaching staff to look at every player and ask, ‘Is there a secondary position?’” Wakamatsu said. “For me, one of the keys to sustaining winnings is how you handle injuries. They’re going to come. You’re going to see this spring that guys are going to be playing positions this spring so we can see that we have some versatility.”
That includes Clement, who says he strongly prefers to be a catcher but will accept any role the team has for him.
“That’s not to say he’s going to play first base, but it gives us an option,” Wakamatsu said. “I haven’t talked to him. But we’re talking about those things.”
Lopez, whose range has been questioned at second base, played 13 games late last season at first. He ended the season adamant that he wouldn’t play first this year, although Wakamatsu has talked with him about it this month.
“I’m not going to promise anything,” Wakamatsu said. “If he can play second base, he’ll play second base until he can’t. And then we’ll make adjustments and go forward.”
It would make things easy if Branyan hits with power and consistency. The job will remain his if he does that.
But, in a camp where there’s competition at several positions, the starters must play well to earn their jobs.
“The guys who have been here, I told all those guys that I’ll respect that you were there but there’s no guarantees,” Wakamatsu said. “We’ll evaluate that as we go forward.”
One of the few guarantees, in fact, is that Griffey won’t play first base.
“I wouldn’t consider that,” Wakamatsu said. “Left field and DH are all we’ve talked about.”
Dress for the part
Asked about his relationship with Ichiro Suzuki, Griffey said he expects plenty of free dinners from the Mariners’ right fielder. He also took a good-natured jab at Suzuki’s flamboyant wardrobe.
“I plan to have him take me out to dinner at least four or five times a week,” Griffey said. “I haven’t been in the American League in a while and I’m sure there are a lot of new restaurants I don’t know about.
“As long as he does not dress the way he does. He can’t wear skinny ties because those went out with Duran Duran.”
Wilson is a tough cut
Amid the hoopla over Griffey’s arrival, the Mariners faced a tough decision in order to clear room on the 40-man roster.
They made it Saturday when they released Mike Wilson, a power-hitting outfielder who’d been in their minor league system for seven years.
Wilson, the Mariners’ second-round draft pick in 2001, had his best minor league season in 2008 when he batted .276 with 27 home runs and 84 RBI at Class AA West Tennessee.
He’s also remembered for one of the more memorable spring training moments in the post-Griffey years. During a spring training intrasquad game a few years ago, Wilson hit a home run that cleared the center field batter’s eye on their main practice field. Last time anyone remembered that happening was when Jay Buhner was belting them out during batting practice.
Of note
Tyler Walker, a candidate for the closer job, didn’t practice Saturday because of tightness in his right quad. He hurt it Friday during a defensive drill. … Branyan also was held out of practice because of a stiff back, although he said he felt good enough. Wakamatsu is cautioning everyone who feels an ache or pain not to hide it and risk a worse injury, especially this early in camp. … Yuniesky Betancourt took batting practice but didn’t field ground balls as the Mariners continue to be cautious with his tight hamstring. … Outfielder Wladimir Balentien remained away because of visa problems, although Wakamatsu said he may arrive Tuesday or Wednesday.
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