Mariners injury update: No setback, but M’s will slow Zunino’s rehab

Starting Mariners catcher Mike Zunino will not be activated from the 10-day disabled list when first eligible during their current series in Minnesota.

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It’s not because he’s suffered a setback with his strained oblique – he hasn’t. But after consulting with medical staff, the Mariners have decided it would be better to let Zunino have some extra time.

“We’re probably going to slow Zunino down a little bit. Our medical people just want to give him a little bit more time before just firing him out there,” Mariners manager Scott Servais.

That means Zunino, who has been taking batting practice, will not have to return to game action in very cold temperatures in Minnesota.

While Zunino won’t come off the 10-day DL when eligible on Saturday, he could still return at some point during the Mariners’ three-game set in Kansas City, which is set for Monday, April 9 through April 11.

Here are some other injury notes from the Mariners.

• LF Ben Gamel (oblique) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Class-A Modesto on Thursday. Gamel suffered his oblique strain in early March. He has recovered quicker than expected, even participating in a sim game with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, but will need an extended period of game time in the minors after missing nearly a month of spring training. The choice of Modesto for Gamel’s assignment was made to let him play in a warmer climate, as the Nuts are starting play at Lancaster in southern California.

• DH Nelson Cruz is recovering well from his sprained ankle, though he hasn’t started baseball activity even though swelling has gone down. While Cruz will be eligible to come off the DL for the final game of the Kansas City series, it is more likely the Mariners will wait to bring him back for their homestand next Friday, April 13 against Oakland.

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