M’s notebook: McClendon shocked by Washington’s resignation

ARLINGTON, Texas – It was tough to watch the scene at the ballpark today. Rangers manager Ron Washington resigned because of what is being called personal reasons and clearly everyone was caught off-guard with this move, including Mariners skipper Lloyd McClendon.

“I am shocked right now. I’m in the dark like everyone else,” McClendon said when asked about the situation in his daily meeting with reporters.

His cell phone then rang and he said he needed to take the call. As we left the room we heard McClendon answer the call: “Hello skipper…”

It was indeed Washington on the other end. The conversation was private, but when we were brought back into the office McClendon seemed a little more relaxed. We don’t have any answers as to why Washington resigned but at the Rangers press conference (which Washington did not attend), general manager Jon Daniels stressed that his leaving was not the result of drug use. Washington had offered to resign in 2010 after failing a drug test and admitting to cocaine use, but this is a different situation.

Bench coach Tim Bogar has been named Texas’ interim manager.

Lineup!

Jackson 8
Ackley 7
Cano 4
Seager 5
Morales DH
Morrison 3
Zunino 2
Chavez 7
Miller 6

Notes

• McClendon going with the mostly lefty lineup against Rangers starter Scott Baker.

• Felix Hernandez will start games Monday and Saturday on the upcoming home stand. He will pitch on regular rest Saturday against the A’s. While the M’s have yet to announce the rest of the rotation for the home stand, we most likely will see Felix, Elias, and Iwakuma against Houston Monday through Wednesday, then Paxton, Felix and TBA against the A’s.

• Speaking of Felix, I interviewed him for the pregame show and learned that he isn’t the only superstitious Mariner. The bat you see him holding and sometimes swinging in the dugout on days he doesn’t pitch belongs to Robinson Cano.

“I hold the bat for Cano all the time,” Hernandez said, acknowledging that Cano gives it to him for good luck. “He always tells me give me some hits, so he gives me the bat all the time.”

• The Dodgers have started scouting the Mariners just in case they should meet them at the end of October. Former Mariners and Cougars pitcher Aaron Sele, who is now a special assistant with the Dodgers, will be following the club for at least the next week.