Mariners notebook: Why the lineups haven’t been consistent

It’s good to be back at the park after a couple of days off. One of the first sights I saw when I arrived in the clubhouse this morning was Edgar Martinez heading down to the batting cages where Brad Miller was waiting for him. I later found out that Edgar had been at the park since 8:30 a.m. watching film of his new hitters. He has a big job ahead of him but he is ready for it.

I can’t stress enough that while it is exciting to see Edgar back with the club, it is tough to see another coach leave. Lloyd McClendon talked yesterday about how hard it was to have to tell a friend that the organization was going in a different direction. It is part of the job, yes, but this club’s failure to hit has led to Howard Johnson losing his big league job, and I hope that reality is not lost on anyone, especially the guys in the clubhouse. Life goes on for them but it changes for Johnson, who worked hard to get this group on track. For whatever reason it didn’t happen.

But now it is a new day and a new lineup. A different lineup, as most are, although I think we actually have seen a somewhat consistent lineup against righties lately.

Against lefties things are becoming interesting. With Rickie Weeks and Justin Ruggiano gone this team is very lefty heavy and so far that hasn’t been a problem. Yesterday we saw Seth Smith in the lineup against one of the toughest lefties in the game, Dallas Keuchel, and Smith got the first left-handed home run off of him this year. Earlier in the week the Mariners got a win against Madison Bumgarner. As much as I would like to see another right-handed bat for this team, for now I would really like to see what Smith can do against lefties.

I think there is something to be said of lineup consistency and by that I don’t mean the same exact lineup every day. There can be lefty/righty lineups – most teams have them. Day games after night games are going to be different. Bench players are going to get starts here and there to keep the starters fresh. Bad backs and injuries will alter lineups. To expect the same exact lineup every day or even six out of seven days is just not reasonable in baseball today. But to have a solid core of everyday players, guys who know they will be in the lineup and what part of the lineup they will be in every day, you can’t help but think that could help lead to consistency in the field. And if left field is the final piece with this team, I am very interested to see what happens there.

Kuma strong in first rehab start

Hisashi Iwakuma threw 56 pitches in his first rehab start yesterday and gave up one run on three hits, including a home run. He is scheduled to throw his next rehab game Thursday for the Rainiers.

Last year Iwakuma came back after just one rehab start with the idea that he could build up his pitch count while giving the big league team innings. That will not happen this year. McClendon wants Iwakuma fully ready before he returns.

“We leave spring training with the expectation that our pitchers should be able to go six or seven innings, 90-100 pitches their first time out. He’s not there and two starts won’t get him there,” he said.

One of the things they will be monitoring is Iwakuma’s velocity.

“I think moving forward, it’s really important,” said McClendon when asked how much of a concern it was. “If you can’t speed guys up with the fastball, then you’re not going to get them off stride with your breaking stuff. That’s what’s important and he needs to get his velocity back up to where he’s used to having it. And he’s not a 94 or 95 guy. He’s 88-91, and that’s good enough for his stuff so we just need to get him back there.”

McClendon was clear that Iwakuma will need at least one more start after Thursday before returning to the big league club.

Lineup!

Logan Morrison, 1B
Mark Trumbo, RF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Seth Smith, LF
Brad Miller, SS
James Jones, CF
Jesus Sucre, C

J.A. Happ, LHP

Note

• McClendon went to Carson Smith for a four-out save Saturday night, and because of that we could see someone else if there is a save situation today. Before the game McClendon said he might need to stay away from Smith today.

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