Lineup as Mariners look to close trip with a win
Jul 7, 2013, 8:57 AM | Updated: Jul 8, 2013, 11:45 am
By Shannon Drayer
The Mariners have an opportunity to return home with a winning road trip under their belt if they can get the win today. A couple of returns to the Sunday lineup:
Brad Miller, 6
Nick Franklin, 4
Kyle Seager, 5
Raul Ibanez, 7
Justin Smoak, 3
Endy Chavez, 9
Mike Zunino, 2
Dustin Ackley, 8
Joe Saunders, 1
Nick Franklin is back in as the knee bruise is much better. According to Eric Wedge, Kendrys Morales needs a break, so Justin Smoak is back after sitting for two days. Also, Raul Ibanez is in left after a day off. Some folks were expressing that they were not happy that Ibanez was not in the lineup yesterday. I had to wonder how many of those people were complaining about him being in the lineup in April. Regardless, a quick check revealed that Ibanez had not had a game off since May 29 so I think Wedge can be excused for giving him a day. I would guess that would be his last day off until the All-Star break.
A couple of injury updates: Michael Morse still hasn’t been able to run the bases but Wedge said the plan now is to get him out on the rehab assignment with Tacoma on Wednesday. It is looking less and less likely that we will see him back on the field for the Mariners before the All-Star break.
Stephen Pryor came through his bullpen yesterday with flying colors and will throw another one tomorrow and then a sim game Wednesday. The hope is to get him out on rehab starts shortly after the All-Star break. If all goes well we are most likely looking at an early-August return to Seattle.
