Mariners notebook: Still no timetable for Felix Hernandez’s return; Martin could be back soon
Jun 7, 2016, 5:26 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2016, 1:52 pm
Good news, no news on the injury front for the Mariners.
The good news first: Center fielder Leonys Martin continues to progress in his recovery from his hamstring strain and will have a simulated game at Safeco Field on Thursday in which he will hit and run the bases. If all goes well, the plan is to send him out to play in the Rainiers’ game Thursday night and have him ready for the weekend series against the Rangers.
As for the no news, there is still no timetable for Felix Hernandez’s return. Felix was wearing a protective boot in the clubhouse Tuesday, something that became necessary to protect the original calf injury.
“I was walking funny because I am trying to protect this part (inside just below the knee) of my calf when it hurts,” he explained. “Now the inside of my calf is getting tight, so they give me this just to walk around in.”
Mariners’ James Paxton finds success with new arm slot, attitude
Felix has been doing pool work and his shoulder exercises but has not been allowed to do anything on his feet. To that end, he improvised a little bit, throwing from a chair in the batting cages before the game Tuesday.
“I asked to do that because I have got to keep my arm in shape,” he said. “I like to throw every day, but I can’t throw standing up.”
Any down time is bad for Felix. DL time, even worse.
“I’m going crazy. I’m not used to this,” he said.
Felix is scheduled to see the team doctor again on Thursday but he expects it will be more likely that he gets just a progress report rather than being told he is all clear to resume activity.
Notes
• The Mariners have a new lineup as Ketel Marte, who was originally batting eighth in the order, was scratched with neck spasms. Shawn O’Malley will take his place at shortstop and hit ninth.
• Catcher Chris Iannetta is not in the lineup Tuesday but that does not appear be related to the error he made that cost the team a run Monday night. Iannetta was out for early work on the missed play earlier in the day. “He asked for it,” manager Scott Servais said of the night off. “I’m not a big fan of you screw up the night before and you bring them out the next day, but when a player asks for it, he wants to get over the hump there, get comfortable again. He’s a perfectionist.”
• The updates on injured relievers Charlie Furbush and Tony Zych were very vague, with Servais saying he had nothing on Furbush and that Zych had experienced some ups and downs but was expecting to play catch Tuesday. Furbush had appeared to be close to a rehab assignment two weeks ago but has not thrown off a mound since. Zych was originally scheduled to throw from a mound early this week but those plans appear to have been scrapped as well.
• After Monday night’s debut, you get the feeling that reliever Edwin Diaz could move up to high-leverage spots pretty quickly. Servais said that with just 11 appearances in relief they will have to be careful with Diaz, but it won’t be easy. “We do not want to overtax him, especially at this point of the year,” Servais said. “We will continue to let him build and grow into it and build his confidence. That said, would I like to pitch him every night? Based on what I saw last night, yes, I would. That was electric.” Servais didn’t rule out multiple-inning outings for Diaz, who was starting just over a month ago, but said if he threw multiple innings then he would be down for multiple days.
