Friday news and notes

Jul 1, 2011, 5:18 PM

I am off today and tomorrow but couldn’t help myself. Was very interested to see what the lineup would be today and what the word on a replacement for Erik Bedard in the rotation would be so I had Gary Hill who is filling in for me send me the audio from Eric Wedge’s meeting with the media today. So some quick notes then I will be back with you Sunday. The lineup…

Ichiro 9
Ryan 6
Kennedy 4
Smoak 3
Cust DH
Peguero 7
Gutierrez 8
Bard 2
Figgins 5

No Dustin Ackley. No need to be alarmed. According to Wedge Ackley has bruised ribs and should be back in the lineup tomorrow.

“It’s nothing, serious,” he said. “He feels it a little bit when he gets through the swing. We are going to stay away from him. I don’t feel like it makes sense to push it today. I think he’ll be okay for tomorrow.”

Ackley is not sure how the injury occurred whether it was diving for a ball or sliding but it did happen in Wednesday’s game.

Miguel Olivo is doing better.

“He feels better, anxious, a little bit ornery, irritated. Those are all good things,” Wedge said with a laugh.

Olivo is scheduled to take batting practice today and play catch. If that goes well we could see him in the lineup tomorrow or Sunday.

Wedge said he has a good idea who will take Erik Bedard’s next start but most likely will not announce it until tomorrow. He tipped his hand in a major way however when he said that they were looking at someone not on the team right now. We are most likely looking at Luke French or Blake Beavan getting the call.

That’s it for now.