Mariners notebook: What can we expect from Elias?

All eyes are on Roenis Elias today as he makes his 2015 debut.

While Taijuan Walker clearly outperformed Elias in spring training, sending him down was still a tough move for manager Lloyd McClendon. Elias helped this club last year and that certainly was noted and appreciated. It wasn’t enough to bump him into the rotation, however, and there was work to be done to get him back to 2014 form.

“Command of the fastball. That’s what probably did him in in spring, just did not have real good command. But he’s been working on it and I think he’s better now,” McClendon said.

Fastball command has been an issue with a number of Mariners pitchers this season. If Elias is able to click, that could make things interesting when Hisashi Iwakuma returns. If Iwakuma is truly going to be out just two to four weeks – and two weeks sounds nearly impossible if he is shut down for more than a few days – then it would appear the spring competition is back on. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if Elias could give James Paxton and Taijuan Walker a little push.

First thing is first: Elias needs to give the Mariners innings today. Elias was originally scheduled to start Saturday in Tacoma and instead finds himself back in a big-league uniform at Safeco Field. It shouldn’t be much of an adjustment for the lefty.

“He’s not new to this atmosphere up here,” McClendon said. “He won’t be overwhelmed.”

Lineups!

Twins

Brian Dozier, 4
Shane Robinson, 8
Joe Mauer, 3
Trevor Plouffe, 5
Eduardo Nunez, DH
Eduardo Escobar, 7
Oswaldo Arcia, 9
Chris Herrmann, 2
Danny Santana, 6

Kyle Gibson

Mariners

Austin Jackson, 8
Seth Smith, DH
Robinson Cano, 4
Nelson Cruz, 9
Kyle Seager, 5
Logan Morrison, 3
Dustin Ackley, 7
Brad Miller, 6
Jesus Sucre, 2

Roenis Elias

Notes

• Will today be a true day off for Mike Zunino? He gets his third scheduled day off this season but he has appeared in every game.

• Tom Wilhelmsen, on the disabled list with a hyper-extended elbow, has been playing catch the last couple of days. McClendon said that if all goes well in his work on the upcoming road trip, he could return to the active roster in 10-12 days.

• One day after a day off courtesy of Felix Hernandez, the bullpen was forced into heavy lifting once again Saturday night. With no off day until May 7, short outings by the starters will become more problematic for the pen. There is a chance they could get a break Monday as thunder showers are forecast throughout the day in Arlington.

• The Mariners have seen right-hander after right-hander on this homestand. The righty bats should get some action next week, however, as the Rangers are scheduled to throw back-to-back lefties with Ross Detwiler going Tuesday and Wandy Rodriguez on Wednesday.

Related

NFC West Check-In: Status updates on Rams’ Puka Nacua, Myles GarrettRecap: Mariners beat Yankees 1-0 to snap 6-game losing streakMariners pitching staff delivers their first win in over a weekFormer M’s closer Paul Sewald lands back in AL on waiver claimMLB returns to Field of Dreams, now a permanent ballpark amid cornM’s prospect Lazaro Montes goes inside-the-park for career-high 33rd HR