Mariners notebook: Shawn O’Malley back in camp after appendectomy
Mar 22, 2017, 1:12 PM | Updated: 2:18 pm
Shawn O'Malley will likely be held out of baseball activities for two to three weeks following an appendectomy. (AP)
(AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. – What a difference a day makes. Mariners utility man Shawn O’Malley showed up in camp Tuesday morning complaining of stomach cramps and was sent to the hospital, where he underwent an appendectomy later in the day. He walked back into the clubhouse Wednesday morning, sans appendix.
“I had been doing new pool drills so I thought maybe it was that,” O’Malley said of the discomfort he felt Monday night. “Then I thought maybe the flu or I didn’t drink enough water.”
O’Malley’s wife didn’t like what she was hearing from her husband and did the defining test. A poke in the side proved uncharacteristically painful and the thought was that it could be appendicitis. The diagnosis was confirmed at the hospital and a laparoscopic appendectomy was performed. O’Malley was given the option to spend the night in the hospital but he declined, wanting to get out as quickly as he could.
While he was able to walk around the clubhouse and said he would like to do some seated glovework, he is most likely looking at two to three weeks away from baseball activity while the three small incisions from the surgery heal.
“Surgery went fine, he should recover, it won’t be an issue,” manager Scott Servais said Wednesday morning. “It should take some time to get him back. It’s too bad. Timing is obviously everything in this game and when stuff happens, it’s obviously out of your control. Take care of it and go from there.”
O’Malley was in competition for the utility spot and while being sidelined at this time of the spring is unfortunate, he has a track record.
“He has played very well,” Servais said. “Done a nice job at shortstop and everywhere we have put him. We all know what Shawn brings, we value it. Hopefully he can get healthy and get back on the field.”
Lineup!
Leonys Martin, CF
Jean Segura, SS
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Danny Valencia, RF
Taylor Motter, 1B
Carlos Ruiz, C
Mike Freeman, 3B
Guillermo, Heredia LF
Cody Martin, RHP
Scheduled to pitch: Nick Vincent, James Pazos, Marc Rzepczynski, Jean Machi.
Notes
• Yovani Gallardo is scheduled to start a minor league game Wednesday. Count on seeing starters and most of the relievers in minor league games the rest of the way when the team is scheduled to face a division opponent.
• Upcoming pitching schedule:
Thursday at Giants: Felix Hernandez
Friday vs. Royals: James Paxton
Saturday at Angels: Ariel Miranda
Sunday vs. Rangers: Sam Gaviglio
Monday vs. Reds: Drew Smyly
Hisashi Iwakuma is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Friday.
• Updates on relievers on the mend: Shae Simmons played catch on Tuesday for the first time since suffering a muscle strain in his forearm. The plan is to continue throwing daily unless he feels discomfort. Tony Zych will throw in the Double-A game Thursday. Steve Cishek will throw his first bullpen the same day.
• Taylor Motter has been getting work at first base in the late innings of recent games. I asked Servais Wednesday morning what he has seen in the brief look at what is a relatively new position for Motter. “He’s started a big league game there, he looks very comfortable,” Servais said. “He’s obviously super athletic, he’s got good hands. I think just being in the right spot at the right time, and understanding how to handle some of the tweener plays, the bunt plays, but he looks very comfortable. You will see him more there in the next week.”
