Mariners notebook: Veterans putting in extra work
Sep 19, 2016, 7:00 PM | Updated: 7:31 pm
Robinson Cano entered Monday's game with only four hits in his last 35 plate appearances. (AP)
(AP)
Since the start of September, the early work the Mariners have put in on the field before batting practice has mostly featured the younger players on the roster. Before Monday night’s series opener against the Blue Jays, however, it was a veteran player taking swings on the field.
Second baseman Robinson Cano had the grounds crew set up for his net drill, which he runs through several times a season, often when he feels something is a little off with his swing. Cano, who has just four hits in his last 35 plate appearances, spent about 20 minutes taking flips from quality-control coach Chris Prieto and depositing most of them deep into the right-field seats.
When he was finished with his work, center fielder Leonys Martin stepped in and took a number of swings as well, turning to talk mechanics with both Cano and hitting coach Edgar Martinez, who were behind the batting cage.
Cano wasn’t the only veteran who changed his routine on Monday.
Felix Hernandez threw from the mound in his bullpen in preparation for his start Wednesday. Felix usually does not throw from the mound between starts, preferring to throw a flat-ground session instead. But coming off three poor performances over his last four starts, it was time to change things up and get on the mound, where he can get a better feel for his pitches, particularly the changeup.
Command was a major issue his last time out and throwing from the mound before his next start could help with that.
Notes
• This series is an interesting matchup between two teams that, well, match up offensively. Coming into the series opener, the Mariners and Blue Jays each have scored 708 runs. Toronto is third in MLB with 208 home runs with the Mariners right behind them at 206.
• The Mariners are out a Double-A affiliate. The Diamondbacks on Monday announced a four-year player-development contract with Jackson, which won the Southern League championship just days ago. The Mariners have yet to announce a new affiliate.
