Mariners make no changes at the break

By Shannon Drayer

Just a quick update here because I am still on break for another two days, but the Mariners held a workout at Safeco Field Thursday afternoon and the team that reported was the same team that lost the 13-inning game in Oakland Sunday. No changes were made. After meeting with Jack Zduriencik, the decision was made to stay the course, for now, with what they have.

Wedge met with the team for about 10 minutes before they took the field for fielding drills and batting practice. He expressed his belief that at some point in the second half they would figure it out at the plate and that the offense would improve. He gave them a fresh start of sorts to try to help take the pressure off, something he feels is essential to allow them to progress.

“Obviously the offense is a hot topic,” Wedge said. “I just want to get these guys to the place that allows them to come to the ballpark, relax and play and do that with confidence. I just believe there are a lot of ball players out there that are going to be big leaguers for a long time and they are going to help us win a lot of ballgames here, so that is where we left it.”

After a week of team meetings, strong hints that there would be changes and declarations that what he saw would not continue, patient Wedge is back. He firmly believes that the young players need to go through what they are going through at this level at one time or another. If they are sent down they still will need to experience pulling out of a struggle at the big-league level at some point in their development. That is why the majority of the players are still here. Wedge will keep them here for the time being as long as he feels they can handle it mentally. He and Zduriencik will not be making any statement or send-a-message moves. It is about the young players and what they feel is best for their development.

With all of that said, however, we will soon see moves. Mike Carp is on the mend and will be coming back to DH and play first. He is hitting well right now and getting close to being able to play in the field again.

Franklin Gutierrez was scheduled to see the doctor today and hopefully be cleared to resume physical activity. He is still most likely a couple of weeks away but his return will require someone to be sent down. Erasmo Ramirez should be back in the near future. Wedge said that he did not expect that he would need a rehab start.

There will also be trades. At some point this team will look different. Just not tomorrow when they take the field against the Rangers.