Jerry Dipoto gives updates on Tony Zych, Mariners’ injured relievers
May 5, 2016, 9:27 AM | Updated: 9:35 am
Tony Zych is back with the Mariners after three months out for an injury originally thought to be less serious. (AP)
(AP)
On his weekly appearance on “Danny Dave and Moore” Wednesday, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto gave an update on reliever Tony Zych, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with shoulder tendinitis.
“Tony is probably going to be down four to six weeks, which frankly is probably pretty good news for us,” Dipoto said. “We were a little nervous sending him back to Seattle for test yesterday, but it came back and the news was a little better than expected.”
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Zych had been dealing with shoulder soreness for the past week to 10 days. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning Sunday against the Royals, striking out the side, but his shoulder did not respond well after that. He was replaced on the 25-man roster with reliever Steve Johnson from Triple-A Tacoma.
Dipoto gave updates on the three other relievers who are also on the DL. Joaquin Benoit is expected to throw from the mound in the next four or five days and could return as soon as May 15. Ryan Cook, who suffered a lat injury in spring training, is progressing a bit better than expected and could be ready at the start of June; he’s eligible to come off the 60-day DL June 2. Charlie Furbush, who threw from the mound for the first time Sunday since being shut down, is continuing to progress.
“Charlie Furbush feels good every day,” Dipoto said. “We are taking Charlie day by day. We have no expectations because it has been so long since he has pitched live, but his progress is moving right along.”
