TORONTO – Earlier this week, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt walked into the office of manager Jim Riggleman to ask why he wasn’t playing every day.
Riggleman was ready for the question.
“In my career, I’ve coached Ozzie Smith and Omar Vizquel, and Yuni’s got more hitting ability than either of them at the same point in their careers,” Riggleman said. “I think he’s the best shortstop in our league.”
So why isn’t Betancourt playing every day?
“Those other players improved every year, and I challenged Yuni – he’s not a .270 on-base percentage hitter,” Riggleman said. “It’s a matter of determination, studying pitchers, knowing pitch sequences ...
“He should be an All-Star. But when he has that .270 on-base percentage, he makes it easier for me to give him a day off and play someone else.”
In 96 games this season – 345 at-bats – Betancourt has walked six times. Notoriously impatient at the plate, he’s had little discipline throughout his career.
Over 1,650 major league at-bats, he has walked 49 times.
Other managers have tried to deal with the issue. Mike Hargrove once benched Betancourt for swinging at pitches eye-high.
Riggleman has issued his challenge, offering the carrot of playing time and the stick of sitting with some regularity.
Starting role for Morrow?
When the old-timers say you never have enough starting pitching, they’re doing more than repeating a cliché – and the Mariners are another example.
Erik Bedard remains on the disabled list and cannot even play catch yet because of shoulder issues, and now Carlos Silva will miss his start today because of persistent back problems.
So R.A. Dickey will start on short rest today, and the Mariners hope they can slide Silva into the rotation Tuesday in Texas.
All this brought up the continuing conversation about making a starter out of Brandon Morrow, who has been in the bullpen since his first day in the majors last season.
“I think if you asked everyone in our front office, our scouts, coaches and players, 50 percent of them would say Brandon should start,” Riggleman said. “The other 50 percent would say he’s better suited for the bullpen.”
Before the end of the season, the Mariners are likely to audition Ryan Rowland-Smith, Morrow and minor leaguers such as Ryan Feierabend for the rotation of the future.
Short hops
The Mariners have been facing a lot of left-handed pitching of late, and that’s brought out the best in third baseman Adrian Beltre. Against lefties, he’s batting .360 this season – and that’s the fifth-highest average in the American League. ... Ichiro Suzuki began Friday’s game batting .300 this season, but .371 in his first at-bat leading off the game for Seattle. ...For those with long memories, here’s a blast from the past: the first man partnered with Dave Niehaus in the Seattle broadcast booth was Ken Wilson – and Wilson will broadcast Sunday’s game. Niehaus will be honored by the Hall of Fame that day, and current partner Rick Rizzs will be in Cooperstown, N.Y., to observe the moment.
On tap
Toronto hosts the Mariners in a 10:07 a.m. PDT game that will be televised on FSN and broadcast on 1000-AM. Probable starting pitchers: R.A. Dickey (2-5, 3.93) for Seattle vs. David Purcey (0-1, 11.05).
blogs.thenewstribune.com/mariners
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