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Dustin Ackley will start playing some outfield in Tacoma

Ryan Divish — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:11:45 +0000

Some interesting news came out of Las Vegas today when Rainiers radio Mike Curto sent a tweet out that Dustin Ackley was penciled into the starting line-up in … left field.

Obviously, that’s a surprise considering that the Mariners drafted Ackley as an outfielder out of the University of North Carolina and then spent the better part of two years converting him to a second baseman. To his credit, Ackley became a better than average second baseman – even earning a gold glove nomination last season.

But with rookie Nick Franklin playing well at second base since being called …

Mariners select Peterson with top pick

TJ Cotterill — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:24:14 +0000

DJ Peterson was considered the top all-around college bat in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft as a third baseman out of the University of New Mexico.

The Seattle Mariners hope that says a lot about his big league future.

They selected Peterson, 21, with their top pick (12th overall) Thursday.

“DJ is one of the top college position players in the draft with tremendous athletic ability,” said Mariners scouting director Tom McNamara in a press release. “We look forward to having him in our organization and working his way towards being part of our Major League roster in the …

Ibanez, Felix carry Mariners, who may have to make another move

Todd Dybas — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 06:21:38 +0000

Raul Ibanez drove in four runs. Felix Hernandez dominated the middle portion of the game. Mariners win, 7-4.

Joining those Mariners veterans Wednesday will likely be a young catcher.

X-Rays of the top of Jesus Sucre’s left hand showed “something small,” according to manager Eric Wedge. Sucre was hit by the Alexei Ramirez’s backswing in the fifth inning. He stayed in the game until the bottom of the fifth, when he came out on-deck and his practice swings told him something was wrong.

He will be further examined Wednesday morning. The complication for the Mariners is Jesus Montero …

Morse leaves game

Todd Dybas — Wed, 29 May 2013 04:04:56 +0000

Michael Morse left Tuesday night’s game with a right quad strain. He is day-to-day.

UPDATE: 10:59: Manager Eric Wedge said Morse is unlikely to fly with the team tonight to San Diego. He’ll probably stay in Seattle for some evaluation. Wedge expects Morse to miss a couple days, which will put the Mariners in a tricky spot with Justin Smoak already day-to-day.

Morse’s single to center in the fourth put him on and Michael Saunders’ gap double put him in motion. When Morse rounded third base, he grimaced. He was out by a long margin at …

Umpires explanation for the “obstruction” call

Todd Dybas — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:54:22 +0000

Here is the full explanation on the “obstruction” call against Felix Hernandez in the fourth inning:

Jerry Layne (HP Umpire and Crew Chief) and Hunter Wendelstedt (3B Umpire):

Q: Can you comment on the play?

Layne: Any time you have an obstruction before first base, you have a rule.

Wendelstedt: It’s 7.06a

Layne: Any time the runner is obstructed before first base, the ball is dead. He’s awarded first base, and any runner that could be forced is awarded [his base]. That’s why [Wells] was given second base. What had happened was when they went …

Harang goes back to basics to track down improvement

Todd Dybas — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:28:43 +0000

Aaron Harang had a 1-2-3 opening inning Wednesday night in the Mariners’ 8-3 win over Baltimore. That in itself would be a mild triumph after his three difficult starts since joining the club.

But, Harang zipped through three more innings before grappling with the Orioles’ lineup in the sixth. He had a final showdown with Chris Davis and his nine home runs, in which Harang was able to strike Davis out.

So, Harang gets his first win with the Mariners after six innings, two earned and five strikeouts. Seattle had 32 hits to take the series from Baltimore. …

LaFromboise thrilled to be up, Maurer expected to make next start, plus lineups

Todd Dybas — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:18:53 +0000

As Ryan posted earlier, the Mariners called up sidearm reliever Bobby LaFromboise from Tacoma and sent down lefty Lucas Luetge. Luetge had options, threw three innings last night and struggled a bit, so, off he went.

LaFromboise is thrilled to be up. This is his first time in Safeco Field, and it comes with a big league jersey on his back. Tacoma manager Daren Brown called LaFromboise into his hotel room around midnight last night and gave him the news. LaFromboise said he hadn’t paid much attention to potential shuffling, so the move caught him off guard. He …

Today’s lineup for Cactus League opener

Todd Dybas — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:03:28 +0000

We’re about to play ball here in Peoria. Here’s the posted lineup for the first outing against the Padres which starts at noon Pacific Time:

1. Michael Saunders (L) CF

2. Kyle Seager (L) 3B

3. Kendrys Morales (S) DH

4. Michael Morse RF

5. Raul Ibanez (L) LF

6. Jesus Montero C

7. Mike Jabos (L) 1B

8. Robert Andino SS

9. Carlos Truinfel 2B

SP: Hector Noesi

Extra Pitchers:

39 Danny Farquhar……………………. RHP

40 D.J. Mitchell………………………… RHP

57 Chance Ruffin………………………. RHP

59 Oliver Perez………………………….. LHP

64 Anthony Fernandez………………… LHP

67 Andrew Carraway………………….. RHP

71 …

Ackley, Ryan will be held out this weekend

Todd Dybas — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 02:06:43 +0000

After offseason arthroscopic surgeries to remove bone spurs, second baseman Dustin Ackley and shortstop Brendan Ryan will be held out of the first three spring training games.

“We’re just going to give them a little more time,” manager Eric Wedge said. “They’re practicing well and doing a nice job, but I think it’s important just to give them a little more time.”

Ackley had bone spurs removed from his ankle and Ryan had loose bodies extracted from his throwing elbow.

Though those two are out, the Mariners expect to trot out the majority of the staff over …

Smoak searching for confidence in Triple-A

TJ Cotterill — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 01:51:51 +0000

Justin Smoak certainly didn’t want his locker moving 36 miles south of Safeco Field to Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium, but the Seattle Mariners are hoping it’s what he needs to build some confidence after batting .189 in 90 games this year.

Tacoma Rainiers manager Daren Brown spoke with Smoak when he arrived in Tacoma today and made clear what is expected of him.

“Play first base and get him to hit,” Brown said. “Obviously he has been through a tough stretch in the big leagues. Things haven’t been going well and that is why he is here. Our whole thing is …