Mariners notebook: M’s make room for Jesus Montero’s bat

Jesus Montero is here. And while that is the case, it wasn’t easy to get him here, nor is still not a clear spot for him.

Seattle optioned veteran starting pitcher J.A. Happ to Single-A Bakersfield to open a spot for Montero on the 25-man roster, taking advantage of the fact Happ was not going to pitch again before the All Star break to use his spot to get another bat up.

The move wasn’t quite as simple as that, however. Happ had a minor-league option left but also had enough service time to be able to decline the assignment if he wanted to. He accepted the assignment and will be eligible to return in 10 days, which will be Game 3 of the series against the Yankees coming out of the break. While the post All Star rotation has yet to be announced, with the upcoming break he will not lose a start.

As for Montero, this may or may not be a short stay for him. Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said that he is here to hit against left-handed pitching, most likely as the DH in those games. The Angels will throw three lefties against the Mariners heading into the break. This sets Montero up for success as he has always hit lefties well, both in the minors and MLB. After the break the Mariners open the second half at Yankee Stadium, where Montero has hit well. It sets up nicely for him and perhaps he will force the issue.

For now, he is here, a place he knew he would eventually be.

“When they told me I was going to Tacoma in spring training I told myself I just got to continue to work hard,” Montero said. “I just have to show them I can play. Be patient, be patient. Just keep working hard. It’s going to come.”

The hard work led to some big numbers with the bat. At the time of his call up, Montero was leading the Pacific Coast League in hits (113), runs scored (57), total bases (180) and RBIs (68). He was asked several times both in his group interview with the media and my interview for radio how the success in hitting came to be, but he wouldn’t divulge any details other than to say that he had a good routine and that he was having fun.

What struck me in my conversation with Montero was that he seemed more grown up. When he first came to the Mariners he was just 22 years old, and an extremely young 22 at that. Going through what he has gone through in the last two years and doing the work to get himself out of a number of bad situations in this game appear to have matured him. His outlook is different now, both on and off the field.

“Now that I have a family I have to take care of a lot more things. It’s not about me anymore,” he said. “It’s about my daughter and my wife. My house and everything. You know how it is. Now I just want to enjoy my life. Come here to work hard and take care of my babies – another one is coming soon – and work hard for them. They deserve to have a good player on the field.”

Montero is not in the lineup Thursday as the righty Garrett Richards is on the hill for the Angels.

Lineup!

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

Felix Hernandez, RHP

Notes

• Austin Jackson, who left Wednesday’s game with back spasms, is doing much better today but not expected to be available for pinch-hitting tonight.

• Montero-Happ was not the only move made today. Danny Farquhar and Vidal Nuno have been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, with Mayckol Guaipe sent down and Charlie Furbush placed on the 15-day DL with biceps tendinitis. Losing Furbush is a blow as he has been their best left-handed option late in games. Furbush reported feeling out of the ordinary tightness in his left biceps after his last outing. It is not expected to be serious. The plan is to give him a few days rest and go from there.

• The Mariners will catch a break in this series against the Angels as closer Houston Street will not be available because of a slightly strained groin. Joe Smith will handle the closing duties.

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