Notebook: Mariners being patient with Mike Zunino
Aug 30, 2016, 5:05 PM | Updated: Aug 31, 2016, 8:31 am
Scott Servais says Mike Zunino has gotten away from the approach that was working for him earlier in the season. (AP)
(AP)
ARLINGTON — The Mariners are down a much needed right-handed bat with Nelson Cruz out of the lineup against the Rangers because of a nerve issue in his hand. Manager Scott Servais made the call to give him the day off after watching him struggle with the hand to the point where Cruz was splitting his grip at the plate Monday night.
“He kind of came in and wanted to fight me a little bit,” Servais said. “It’s hard not to have him in the four-hole but I think last night, where he’s at really struggling to hold onto the bat. It’s a hand issue, some kind of nerve issue where he loses his fingers and his grip strength isn’t great.”
While neither Cruz nor Servais would disclose any other specifics of the injury, Cruz had an ice pack on the injured hand Monday night in the clubhouse. He suffered the injury Sunday in Chicago and underwent an MRI, CAT scan and X-rays Monday in Dallas. There is no structural damage and he is taking medication to help with the inflammation. The hope is he can be back in the lineup Wednesday.
“The important thing is to do the right thing for him to get him right,” Servais said.
Notes:
• Catcher Mike Zunino has hit a rough patch of late, going 0 for his last 18, striking out 11 times. Servais noted that Zunino got away from the approach that led to success earlier this season and was missing on good pitches early in the count. He checked in with Zunino after Monday night’s game to see where his head was and to show support.
“I think it’s really important how he handles things because he has certainly been down this path before. You can’t let it spin out of control,” Servais said. “It’s a big part of my job to not let it spiral out of control and talk to him.”
With a day game after Tuesday’s night game, Zunino will get Wednesday off. Thursday is an off day so he will have a couple of days to rest and regroup.
“We need to get him back on track,” Servais said. “He was a big part of our offense when we had that ride going. The length of our lineup was just so much better when you are getting quality at-bats from the bottom. We certainly need him.”
• According to Topps Company on Twitter, reliever Pat Venditte is the first ambidextrous pitcher since the 1800s to strike out the first two batters he faced with both hands. If you haven’t seen the Topps Now collection it’s pretty cool. Topps commemorates big moments in baseball with cards that are made available after for just 24 hours. Topps Now can be found here.
• According to ESPN Stats and Information, Leonys Martin robbed the second home run of his career when he climbed the wall Monday for an acrobatic theft. He previously stole a home run on July 2, 2014. The victim? Nelson Cruz.
• The Mariners have outrighted Jarret Grube to Triple-A Tacoma. The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster that will be needed when rosters expand.
