Mariners notebook: Expect less lineup juggling after Trumbo trade

Mark Trumbo and Vidal Nuno arrived at the Mariners’ clubhouse at about 3 p.m. Thursday, not even 24 hours after they learned they had been traded. Vidal said he pitched five innings four days ago and was “ready to rock and roll!” Trumbo goes right into Seattle’s lineup, initially as the designated hitter and later put on first as Logan Morrison was a late scratch.

Manager Lloyd McClendon is happy to have the new additions.

“We’ve added another pro hitter to our lineup that stretches our lineup, that gives us much much better balance throughout the lineup, and some much needed punch in the lineup,” he said. “I think our team is obviously different, but I think we are better in a lot of areas because of the acquisitions.”

McClendon said that he plans to play Trumbo at DH with occasional stars at first base and in the outfield. The Diamondbacks played Trumbo mostly in right field. He may or may not play there for the Mariners.

“I wouldn’t think that he would be on both corners,” McClendon said. “I think we will pick one and keep him there.”

Trumbo’s arrival has led to the departure of Justin Ruggiano, who was designated for assignment. Despite the fact that he could play all three outfield positions and pinch run, Ruggiano was the odd man out.

“Those things are never easy,” McClendon said. “It’s a very difficult decision but we have got to have a backup catcher. You can only carry 25. Somebody has to go.”

When pushed for the whys, McClendon was not terribly forthcoming.

“The particulars are not really something I want to discuss but obviously there is going to be a tremendous lack of playing time for whoever that guy was. Hopefully this gives him the opportunity to catch on with somebody else,” McClendon said.

In Trumbo, the Mariners are adding an every-day player that needs to play every day. One more every-day player gives McClendon more of an opportunity to have an every-day lineup.

“I don’t think I’m any different than any other manager,” he said. “You like to have a lineup you can stamp and put out there every day. Hopefully this is it.”

The lineup he was talking about has changed with the late scratch of Morrison. The original lineup was:

Austin Jackson, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mark Trumbo, DH
Seth Smith, LF
Logan Morrison, 1B
Mike Zunino, C
Brad Miller, SS

Roenis Elias, LHP

After the scratch of Morrison (no reason given as of yet) this is what we have got:

Austin Jackson, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Seth Smith, RF
Brad Miller, SS
Mike Zunino, C
Dustin Ackley, LF

Roenis Elias, LHP

McClendon gives M’s a refresher

If you follow me on Twitter – and you should @shannondrayer – you would have seen my chronicling of an interesting sight of McClendon taking the entire group of position players from base to base to base before pregame drills and batting practice. He stopped at each base and had a chat for a few minutes and then moved on to the next one.

One player told me it was a refresher on what they were supposed to do base-running-wise.

“The things we have been messing up on,” he said.

After the tour around the bases, the Mariners ran situational drills on the field. It looked like a mini-spring training day, which was good to see.

Plenty of work goes on before games as the team still does a good amount of early work – infield, outfield practice, catcher drills – but this was a different kind of refresher.

Nuno provides flexibility

Nuno could prove to be a very interesting piece of this trade. He goes straight to the bullpen but can start. I asked McClendon how much of a possibility Nuno starting actually is.

“I think that depends a lot on what we get out of (Mike) Montgomery,” he said. “It’s certainly in the back of my mind. It’s nice to have that guy, knowing he’s a swing guy that can go both ways. If we need a starter, he’s our guy. It’s kind of comforting to know that.”

Note

• Hisashi Iwakuma threw his first bullpen session since his injury today and all went well. He threw 27 pitches, all fastballs. He is scheduled to throw bullpens on Sunday and next Wednesday. After that he should be ready for simulated games and then a rehab assignment. General manager Jack Zduriencik told me in my interview with him about the trade that the hope is Iwakuma can return by the end of the month.

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