Mariners notebook: Wilhelmsen to the DL and an interesting lineup

The Mariners have a very different look in the National League park as they open their three-game series against the Dodgers.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Apr 13, 2015, 3:21 PM Updated: 5:25 pm

Follow on Google News

Dustin Ackley is leading off and playing center field as the M's open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. (AP)

(AP)

LOS ANGELES – It turns out that Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon had perhaps even less bullpen available to him this weekend than originally thought as Tom Wilhelmsen was placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a hyperextended right elbow. The move is retroactive to March 11.

The injury occurred before Saturday’s game when Wilhelmsen and bullpen mate Danny Farquhar bumped into each other.

“I just got up to stretch a little bit, doing some tree trunks and just bad timing – Danny ran by and just hyperextended my arm a little bit,” Wilhelmsen said. “It felt tender when it happened, (but) not like excruciating.”

He added that he expects to be throwing again by the end of the week.

Wilhelmsen has made two appearances this season, allowing two runs on five hits in 2.2 innings. He was also sidelined for a short time this spring with a stiff back. Dominic Leone has been called up from Tacoma to take his place and should be available for tonight’s series opener against the Dodgers.

In addition to the Wilhelmsen move, a very interesting lineup has been posted.

Mariners

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

Dodgers

Darwin Barney, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Scott Van Slyke, LF
Alex Guerrero, 3B
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Brandon McCarthy, RHP

A different lineup was expected as there is no DH in the National League parks, but Dustin Ackley leading off and playing center is a bit of a surprise. Ackley has started 46 major-league games in center but has not played there since 2013. I did not see him in center this spring, but Ackley said he did get some work in center in Arizona.

“I’m only a year removed from playing there a lot, and in spring I kinda messed around playing there occasionally (during batting practice),” he said. “It’ll be a smooth transition.”

McClendon was pretty cut and dry when asked about playing Ackley in center.

“I’m sure he can find his way out there. Fly ball hit to you and you’ll catch the ball.”

McClendon has also expressed a preference to keep Ackley lower in the order, but with the start Ackley has had the skipper no doubt feels more comfortable hitting him at the top. It’s not a spot Ackley is unfamiliar to as he has started 106 major-league games in the leadoff position, but he did say he was more surprised that he was hitting leadoff than playing center.

The lineup also originally had Nelson Cruz in left and Seth Smith in right but that has since been switched.

Note

• McClendon said Felix Hernandez is fine a day after being pulled early for precautionary reasons when he felt tightness in his quad.