Mariners notebook: Ketel Marte gets a look in center field

The Mariners are anxious to get a look at Ketel Marte, who gets his first big league start in center field as the Mariners open their series in Colorado.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Aug 3, 2015, 5:27 PM Updated: 5:54 pm

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Ketel Marte only played five minor-league games in center field but will get a chance there with the M's. (AP)

(AP)

DENVER – Batting leadoff and playing center field tonight for the Mariners is Ketel Marte. The position is still very new to him, having played only five games in the minors there, but he is open to the challenge. Like he did with fellow infielder Brad Miller in the outfield, manager Lloyd McClendon tried to downplay the difficulty of the move.

“I guess about as much as I was to see him at second,” McClendon answered when asked how interested he was to see Marte in the outfield. “He’s played some center field in the minor leagues, he played it well. He’s capable of going out there so we will watch him. We are evaluating our young talent. This is part of the evaluation process.”

McClendon said we would most likely see him at shortstop as well. While the very young Marte brings an element of athleticism to the lineup the Mariners could dearly use going forward, the question is, is he ready? He should get enough of a look to get a good idea if he is.

“I would like to play him as much as I can, get him in at different positions,” said McClendon.

Monday that position is center field, and before the game during batting practice outfield coach Andy Van Slyke worked with him with the assistance of Franklin Gutierrez. Coors Field is a tough place to break into an outfield position, and one piece of advice Van Slyke gave Marte was to not give up on any ball here. The ball carries, and not always out. It should be interesting to watch.

Lineup!

Ketel Marte, CF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Seth Smith, LF
Jesus Montero, 1B
Brad Miller, SS
Mike Zunino, C
Felix Hernandez, RHP

Notes

• This will be Felix Hernandez’s first career start at Coors Field. He of course is excited for the opportunity to swing the bat. Felix has gone 4 for 34 in his big league career, with his last hit coming June 23, 2012 vs San Diego.

• Logan Morrison was able to take batting practice for the first time in almost a week as the bone bruise has been keeping him from starting.