Wednesday pre-game notes

We caught up with a couple of relievers who are currently on the shelf. David Aardsma is resting his arm after coming up with forearm stiffness. He told me he first felt it after his second rehab start and then it became hard to ignore after his third. He is taking it in stride and feels confident that it is nothing more than normal stiffness after not pitching.

“I think we are being really cautious with it,” he said. “It’s getting better every day. We are taking a little time make sure it doesn’t get bigger.”

He said he has dealt with this once before and time took care of it. He also addressed his situation when he returns and said that he realizes that he will not step right back into the closer routine.

“It would not be smart. without facing big league hitters? You don’t just step right back into your role. I have to show I can get guys out. Brandon is doing a heck of a job, everyone is doing a heck of a job. I have got to face hitters and show to them I am full go and then let them make a decision.”

Shawn Kelley will have to do the same in a few weeks. He threw his first sim game today and all went well. He threw all of his pitches and said that he will throw another on Sunday and could be ready to be sent out on a rehab assignment as soon as next week.

As for another Mariner on the mend, Franklin Gutierrez came through last night’s outing in centerfield just fine and is scheduled to DH for Tacoma tonight.