The team is finally acknowledging what the Mariners Insider blog reported four days ago – that shortstop Jack Wilson’s season is almost certainly over.
Wilson, who bruised his right heel in a game Tuesday, underwent X-rays and an MRI, which found no further damage. But the injury will keep Wilson off the field and unable to perform game-related exercises.
“Jack is going to miss our trip to Florida and Toronto next week,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “Playing that final week at home is possible, but it really depends on how he’s feeling then.”
Wakamatsu said he’d seen a solid player despite the numbers Wilson put up in 31 games as a Mariner.
“I’ve seen his athletic ability, how he plays the game, how he understands the game,” Wakamatsu said.
“Jack’s a baseball player. It’s always tough to change leagues, but I’ve seen no reason he can’t adjust.”
Gutierrez on the run
Franklin Guiterrrez had one of those nights Friday, running down fly balls in left- and right- center field throughout the game, and was asked if he had any idea how far he’d run.
“No idea, but it would be fun to find out some time,” he said. “Sometimes after a game like that, my legs are sore. I’m fine today. The funny thing is, some nights I won’t get much action and I’ll feel more tired the next day after just standing in the outfield.”
Short hops
Bill Hall was back in left field Saturday, a night after many fans – and the Mariners bench – noticed he couldn’t make a play on a pop fly that fell down the left field foul line. “It’s entirely because of his quad,” Wakamatsu said. “He told us it was a bruise, but I think it was probably a little more than that. He’s probably 90 percent today.” … Wondering how the Mariners decide which of their right-handed catchers to use in any given game? They rely in part on the numbers – and Saturday, for instance, Kenji Johjima started. Why? His lifetime average against CC Sabathia was .455.
On tap
Seattle hosts New York in a 1:10 p.m. game that will be televised on FSN and broadcast on 770-AM radio. Probable starting pitchers: Joba Chamberlain (8-5, 4.39) vs. Ian Snell (4-2, 4.86).
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com
blogs.thenewstribune.com/mariners
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