Mariners notebook: McClendon says Cano close to breaking out of slump

In his pregame meeting with the media, Lloyd McClendon said two of his players were "real close." He believes Robinson Cano is real close to getting back on track with the bat and Austin Jackson is real close to returning to the team.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

May 24, 2015, 11:07 AM Updated: 12:25 pm

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The Mariners are working with Robinson Cano on issues in his approach found in their series in Baltimore. (AP)

(AP)

TORONTO – In his pregame meeting with the media, Lloyd McClendon said two of his players were “real close.” He believes Robinson Cano is real close to getting back on track with the bat and Austin Jackson is real close to returning to the team.

McClendon is getting Cano off the turf today and has him in the lineup as the DH. Over the last 12 games Cano has hit just .191 with an OBP of .235. He hasn’t driven in a run since May 12. It has been a rough stretch for him but McClendon believes he is coming out of it.

“I’m sure he’s frustrated, he’s probably a little embarrassed,” he said. “The fact is he’s going to hit. He hasn’t got the results here but I see better position at the plate, I see his hands in a better position. I wouldn’t be surprised if he went out and got three hits today. He’s real close. He’s going to hit.”

McClendon is not just waiting for Cano’s bat to come around. Work was put in at fixing some problems that were found on video from the Mariners’ series in Baltimore.

“I think sometimes as instructors you can take it for granted that because a guy is so good he doesn’t need help,” he said. “That’s not the case. In this game we all struggle, particularly with our mechanics from time to time, and you have got to shore ’em up.”

Even the best hitters in the game can benefit from extra eyes on their swings.

As for Jackson, he went 3 for 5 with a double Saturday for the Rainiers, and with the team leaving Toronto and the bad turf, McClendon said there is a possibility we could see him activated before or during the series in Tampa.

Notes

• Wellington Castillo is catching Taijuan Walker for the first time today. McClendon put Castillo behind the plate partly because the team has six days straight with games but also because he expects him to play more than we have seen the previous back up catchers play.

“Castillo needs to play some. We didn’t get him to sit,” he said. “Z (Mike Zunino) has played two games on the turf, he’s going to get a day and this kid is going to get a day, and then Z will play two and then he will play again. He just happens to be catching Walker, maybe the change of scenery will help Walker a little bit. Let’s hope so.”

Felix pitches in three games but McClendon said he might catch Zunino Monday and Castillo Tuesday and keep Zunino and Felix together. A heads up, that is going to be a great pitching matchup on Wednesday with Chris Archer scheduled to start for Tampa.

• Something to watch for with Walker today. What happens when runners get on base. With the bases empty opponents are hitting .231 off of him. With runner(s) on opponents are hitting .410.

• With his home run today in the second inning Sunday, Kyle Seager now has a 10-game hitting streak. Welcome back Kyle!

• Since April 21 Mariners starters have combined for the lowest ERA in the Majors at 2.98. Welcome back starters.