BRENT STECKER

Mariners notebook: Robinson Cano’s return on schedule, Mitch Haniger OK after setback

May 20, 2017, 4:52 PM

Robinson Cano is on scheduled to return to his usual duties as Seattle's second baseman next week. ...

Robinson Cano is on scheduled to return to his usual duties as Seattle's second baseman next week. (AP)

(AP)

Even with a small setback for Mitch Haniger, the Mariners appear in line to have him back in action next week. As for Robinson Cano, it continues to be smooth sailing in his recovery from a quad strain.

Mariners manager Scott Servais said before Saturday’s 7:10 game against the White Sox on 710 ESPN Seattle that Cano was set to ramp up his workouts on the field as he progresses toward a hopeful return in Tuesday’s series opener in Washington against the Nationals, which would be his first day eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list.

“He’s going to run around on the field a little more today, take BP … take ground balls,” Servais said. “(He) picked it up some yesterday. Feels good.”

Big strides by Edwin Diaz in first outing since losing closer role

Haniger, the rookie right fielder who was the Mariners’ best offensive player statistically before straining his oblique, was supposed to head out on a rehab assignment this weekend, but he’ll be with the M’s for a few more days after encountering soreness Friday.

“I was talking to him earlier – he was actually trying to compensate a little and make sure he didn’t do too much on the (injured) side and it was actually the other side that got a little sore,” Servais said. “He’ll go back out on the field today … take BP. If that all goes well, try to keep him moving, it’s a possible rehab here next day or two.”

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Thursday that the plan was for Haniger to spend his rehab assignment with the Class-A Modesto Nuts. Modesto, which will begin a homestand Sunday, is about two hours from Haniger’s hometown of San Jose, Calif.

Servais also provided an update on left-handed pitcher James Paxton, who is on the DL with a forearm strain. Paxton was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday, and if all goes well would make a rehab appearance with one of Seattle’s minor league affiliates sometime between next Wednesday and Friday.

Notes

• The Mariners still haven’t named a starting pitcher for Sunday’s finale against the White Sox, and it’s not because they’re trying to be secretive. Servais said it all depends on how Saturday’s game goes, as they might decide on Sunday being a bullpen day with no game on Monday. If that ends up not being an option, Servais said the Mariners may call up a pitcher from the minors. Dillon Overton and Casey Lawrence, who both have experience starting in the majors, are the two most likely players to get the start. Overton last pitched May 16 and has started once this season for Seattle, while Lawrence threw two innings in his Mariners debut Thursday.

• Edwin Diaz won’t be available to pitch Saturday, Servais said, but the skipper was still raving about his strong two innings in Friday’s game, which was the 23-year-old righty’s first outing since he was taken out of the closer role following a rough appearance last Monday. “I was really encouraged by what we saw. I think it was probably one of his better outings of the year, maybe his best outing of the year,” Servais said. One of things Servais mentioned that impressed him was that Diaz stepped off the mound a few times to keep himself composed. “You could kinda see him kinda gather (himself) – ‘OK, here’s what I gotta do.’ So he’s starting to get down those checkpoints, what they’re gonna be so he can get himself back on.”

• First baseman Danny Valencia is out of the starting lineup for Saturday’s game due to a sore wrist. You can find the full lineups for both the Mariners and White Sox in this post.

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