Mariners notebook: Roenis Elias will have to earn back a starting spot

MINNEAPOLIS – When J.A. Happ was traded to the Pirates it was widely assumed that Roenis Elias would take his spot in the rotation. That very well may have been the plan, but last night Elias allowed six runs on five hits and a balk in 2/3 innings pitched for Triple-A Tacoma. To top things off he was ejected from the game after being taken out.

In his previous outing he gave up seven earned runs, although four of the runs were given up in the seventh inning. Regardless, not the kind of performances that should earn a player a call up to the big leagues.

“I don’t think you should promote kids to the big leagues for mediocrity,” Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said Sunday morning. “You got to do well. That’s one of the things we are trying to change. We are trying to change the culture a bit. You have to perform and he’s got to pitch well down there to be promoted.”

Subsequently, Vidal Nuno will get his first start as a Mariner on Tuesday. Nuno has made 31 career MLB starts with an ERA of 4.08. McClendon, who has been very impressed with what Nuno has been able to provide out of the bullpen, believes he should have no problem going five innings if needed. If not, with the pen rested – thank you Taijuan Walker – and an extra arm they now have in the pen, they should be more than covered.

Speaking of that bullpen, McClendon was asked again Sunday morning if he intends to keep Carson Smith in the closer role after giving up the winning run in his last three appearances.

“I don’t want to get on that emotional roller coaster – you do bad for a a couple of outings so let’s go back to Rodney,” he said before laughing and throwing his hands in the air. “Hell, they tried to run Rodney out of town, now you want him to be the closer again? What the hell?”

The Mariners want Smith to be a closer and this is part of the process. For now he will stay in that role with the hope being the experience he gains now will benefit him and the team later.

Lineup!

Ketel Marte, 2B
Kyle Seager, 3B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Robinson Cano, DH
Seth Smith, LF
Austin Jackson, CF
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Brad Miller, SS
Jesus Sucre, C

Hisashi Iwakuma, RHP

Notes

• Jesus Montero is being held out of the lineup today as a precaution. He was shook up on a collision at first base Saturday night, and because of his history of concussions from his catching days, McClendon didn’t want to take any chances.

• Charlie Furbush threw a 33-pitch bullpen, all fastballs, before Sunday’s game. He will be given an extra day off and throw his next pen on Wednesday rather than Tuesday as originally scheduled. If all goes well he could be sent on his rehab assignment Friday.

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