Brendan Ryan (shoulder) played catch Wednesday for the first time in Mariners’ camp.
Ryan also took part in all drills without throwing. The 29-year-old is being brought along slowly after missing the final two weeks of last season with neck and shoulder injuries, but he still has plenty of time to get ready for the start of the season.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Brendan Ryan, Mariners, news
Mariners skipper Eric Wedge announced Tuesday that Ichiro Suzuki will bat third this season.
Ichiro has hit leadoff in 1,722 of the 1,749 major league games he has played. But the 38-year-old Japanese outfielder posted a poor .310 on-base percentage across 721 plate appearances last season. If his numbers don’t improve overall in 2012, he could slip down further than third. Chone Figgins will be given a shot this spring to fill the massive vacancy atop Seattle’s batting order. Dustin Ackley seems likely to bat second most games.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners, news
George Sherrill (elbow) threw his first bullpen session of the spring Tuesday in Mariners camp.
Sherrill should now be cleared to begin a normal throwing routine. He was brought along slowly this winter after coming down with elbow inflammation late last year.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: George Sherrill, Mariners, news
Mariners skipper Eric Wedge said Monday that Brendan Ryan (shoulder) will begin throwing “soon.”
Wedge assured reporters that the M’s have simply been playing it safe with Ryan, who suffered from neck and shoulder issues last year. The 29-year-old shortstop should be ready by the start of the 2012 regular season.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Brendan Ryan, Mariners, news
Brendan Ryan (neck, shoulder) hasn’t been cleared to throw.
Ryan dealt with neck and shoulder problems near the end of the 2011 season and still hasn’t fully recovered from either. The Mariners are concerned, but the hope is he can play catch-up during the month of March.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Brendan Ryan, Mariners, news
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times expects the Mariners to name Chone Figgins their leadoff hitter within the next few days.
Figgins’ stock is on the rise, as earlier today we learned that he’ll be a regular, and now it appears that he’ll hit atop the lineup, with Ichiro moving down in the order. He’s expected to be the primary third baseman but will also be used at other positions, potentially giving him multi-position eligibility. The 34-year-old batted a woeful .188/.241/.243 over 313 plate appearances in 2011 while battling injuries, but he’s a career .280/.352/.368 hitter that should rebound to at least some degree in 2012. His stolen base upside make him worthy of a late-round fantasy selection.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Chone Figgins, Mariners, news
Chone Figgins said the Mariners have told him he’ll be an everyday player this season as long as he’s healthy.
The M’s plan to put him at third base most days but will move him around the diamond. “They asked me if I’d mind doing it,” Figgins said. “And I’m like, ‘No’. They said, ‘If we need you to move around some says, would you mind?’ and I said ‘No’.” The 34-year-old could even get a shot at batting leadoff, as Seattle has discussed moving Ichiro out of the spot. Figgins had an abysmal .188/.241/.243 batting line over 313 plate appearances in 2011 during an injury-shortened season, which makes him impossible to trust for fantasy purposes. But, if he’s healthy, he at least has a shot at a rebound. With Figgins in the hot corner most days, it enhances the probability that Kyle Seager won’t make the team.
Source: nwsource.com
Tagged as: Chone Figgins, Mariners, news
Mariners sent OF Mike Wilson outright to Triple-A Tacoma.
Wilson was designated for assignment earlier this month and accepted a minor league assignment after clearing waivers. The 28-year-old outfielder batted .148 (4-for-27) in eight games at the major league level last season.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Mariners, Mike Wilson, news
Kyle Seager has made an alteration with his swing that he hopes produces more power.
“I have a little tuck in my front shoulder now, that helps me get to the pitch more where I want to hit it,” Seager said. “I like my swing path, I like the kind of hitter I am. I?m not a power hitter, but I?m seeing balls that carry on the line more. That’s exciting.” Seager is a career .328/.401/.474 hitter in the minors but has just 22 homers over 1,245 plate appearances. Hopefully his altered swing will give him a little more pop, but we’re not expecting a drastic difference, especially in Safeco. Seager isn’t a lock to make the Opening Day roster.
Source: thenewstribune.com
Tagged as: Kyle Seager, Mariners, news
Shawn Camp’s new one-year contract with the Mariners is worth $750,000.
Camp agreed to the deal earlier this month. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 4.21 ERA and 32/22 K/BB ratio over 66 1/3 innings with the Blue Jays in 2011. The ground ball specialist will pitch in a middle relief role with the M’s this season.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Mariners, news, Shawn Camp