Mariners notebook: Felix Hernandez could be out of WBC, back in camp sooner than expected

PEORIA, Ariz. – We could see Felix Hernandez back in Mariners camp sooner than expected as Venezuela was upended by Puerto Rico 11-0 in the World Baseball Classic. Hernandez threw 51 pitches in his start and will not be eligible to pitch again unless Venezuela advances, per WBC rules.

Felix was pulled after walking in a run with two outs in the third inning, with manager Omar Vizquel noting that Felix did not want to come out of the game. With Felix at 29 pitches in the inning, however, it no doubt was the right move.

Felix started strong, not allowing a hit and striking out two in his first two innings. He showed glimpses of some of the changes the Mariners would like to see from him in pitch usage and location, but then things went haywire in the third.

Notebook: O’Malley walkoff leads young guys in Mariners’ comeback

Mariners manager Scott Servais did not see the outing but got the full report.

“From what I understand he was pretty good the first couple of innings, got away from him in the third, but before that was really good,” he said. “Some of the things that (Mariners pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr.) and he had talked about, he took into the game last night, sequencing of pitches and stuff like that, but command got a little bit away from him from what I understand.”

Stottlemyre, while understanding the importance of the game to Hernandez, said that he will treat the outing like any spring outing. When Felix returns to camp they will sit down and go over it, point out what worked with pitch selection and what didn’t.

Venezuela takes on Italy on Saturday, needing a win to keep their hopes of advancing in the tournament alive.

Mariners lineup vs Reds

Jarrod Dyson, LF
Taylor Motter, 2B
Mitch Haniger, RF
Danny Valencia, 1B
Mike Zunino, C
Carlos Ruiz, DH
Leonys Martin, CF
Tyler Smith, 3B
Shawn O’Malley, SS

Chase De Jong, P

Scheduled to follow De Jong: Andrew Moore (three innings), Shae Simmons, Nick Hagadone, Cody Martin, James Pazos.

Notes

• The Mariners’ B game with the Padres has been scratched, so they will look to get their pitchers that were scheduled to throw in that game innings elsewhere.

• It has been an interesting spring for Thyago Vieiera, who came to camp with the buzz of throwing 100-plus mph in the Arizona Fall League but has given up five runs in his last 1 2/3 innings. Servais believes there is plenty to be gained in his time still in big league camp. “The experience being around other Major League pitchers and seeing how they go about their business,” Servais said. “Learning when you are out there the importance of a secondary pitch that you can get over the plate. He’ll take a a lot from this camp.”

Follow @shannondrayer