Notebook: Daniel Robertson brings speed, versatility and a good story to the Mariners

HOUSTON – Mariners manager Scott Servais said yesterday that we could see a move made before the All-Star break to balance what has been a short bench and a bullpen that’s been carrying an extra arm. The move was made this afternoon, but it perhaps wasn’t the one that many expected.

Nori Aoki was sent down for the extra bullpen arm, and he remains in Triple-A. Daniel Robertson was called up to take the open spot instead, and he’s in the lineup tonight against Astros right-hander Dallas Keuchel.

“I thought it was a chance to bring Robertson in here and play him tonight against Keuchel,” Servais said.

Robertson has three hits in nine at-bats against Keuchel at the big-league level. Obviously a small sample size, but Robertson has had far more at-bats against the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner that aren’t noted on his big-league page.

“I came up through the minor leagues with him,” Robertson said. “I think the first time I faced him was in 2010. Everything that he presents now was everything that he had in 2010, but it wasn’t in Houston, it wasn’t on the big stage, it wasn’t in the AL West. I’m very familiar with him and I look forward to facing him again.”

In addition to the experience of facing Keuchel, Robertson brings a right-handed bat, versatility in the field and speed. There’s also familiarity with the staff. Prior to being selected off waivers by the Mariners last November, Robertson spent two years in the Rangers and Angels organizations.

“He’s a high-energy guy,” Servais said. “I said, ‘Just do what you do, keep talking,’ because he talks a lot. We kind of need that a bit on the bench. Obviously a good defender, the right-handed bat – it’s not power but it’s put the bat on the ball, do some things, run the bases.”

Robertson’s skills are clearly appreciated by his manager. At 30, with parts of two big-league seasons under his belt, he also brings experience.

“I just try to bring a winning attitude, most of all understanding the important things that it takes to win, because at the end of the day it’s baseball,” Robertson said. “I just try to bring a baseball player to wherever I am supposed to be.”

In his pregame radio interview, I asked Robertson to explain that last line.

“It was something I learned from Dave Roberts,” he said, referring to his early days with the Padres. “When he was special assistant, a rover, I used to come over in spring training games and we used to have conversations. It was really important that he wanted me to understand it’s not about playing baseball, it’s not about being an outfielder, being an infielder. If you are a versatile player, it’s about being a baseball player and a baseball player is asked to bunt, he’s asked to steal, he’s asked move a runner over, he’s asked to get a runner in. What are you going to do with the infield back and there is a runner at third and they are giving it to you? A simple ground ball does the job.

“He just stressed all those important things about base-running because all those things that a baseball player can bring is something that can help win a ballgame.”

Roberts, who is now managing the Dodgers, had a big impact on Robertson, a 33rd-round draft pick in 2008.

“His story is special to me because he didn’t make his debut until he was 28 and it’s very similar, eerie similar to me, the way my journey started in this game,” Robertson said. “He spent 10 years in the Major Leagues and now he is still very much in it. At the end of the day, this is going to be my life’s work so I want to make sure I am doing it the right way and learning for the people who gave up their life to this sport just as well.”

Rollins headed back to Triple-A

Reliever David Rollins was optioned back to Tacoma for the second time in less than a month. While he pitched his way in and out of trouble yesterday, Servais still liked what he saw.

“I thought he threw the ball pretty well yesterday,” Servais said. “He didn’t wilt, and he could have. That says a lot about him and where he’s at at this point in his career that he didn’t wilt and just fall apart. I think he is a Major League pitcher. I think he can help us and I think he will at some point be back this year and help our bullpen.”

Notes

• Edgar Martinez took early batting practice today, and by all accounts it was epic. Look for a story later this evening on what a number of the Mariners’ hitters saw from their hitting coach.

• The Mariners have a club-record seven players with 10 or more home runs before the All-Star break. The MLB record is eight and the Mariners have a good chance to tie it with Franklin Gutierrez sitting on nine homers and Chris Iannetta at seven.

• Pitching probables heading into the break: Wednesday at Houston, Wade LeBlanc vs. Mike Fiers; Thursday at Kansas City, James Paxton vs. Danny Duffy; Friday at Kansas City, Hisashi Iwakuma vs. Yordano Ventura; Saturday at Kansas City, Wade Miley vs. Edinson Volquez; Sunday at Kansas City,  Taijuan Walker vs. Chris Young.

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