Fister returns, but what about M's pen?
LARRY LARUE; Staff writer
The Seattle Mariners added today’s starting pitcher, Doug Fister, to their 25-man roster Friday, making room for him by placing reliever Shawn Kelley on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation.
It left the bullpen an intriguing group for manager Don Wakamatsu.
Consider that, without Kelley, the Mariners have a six-man bullpen – “We’re a little short,” Wakamatsu said. He wasn’t just talking about the numbers.
Of the four late-inning pitchers with at least a year of experience the Mariners opened the season with, two are on the DL (Mark Lowe and Kelley). That leaves closer David Aardsma and setup man Brandon League.
“Aardsma is expecting a baby any day and he’s going to have to leave,” Wakamatsu said. “When he does, League is the closer.”
What about days when neither is available?
The Mariners have Chad Cordero, Garrett Olson, Brian Sweeney and Sean White – a group that isn’t going to intimidate any team. Cordero hasn’t closed a game since 2007, White has struggled in save situations and has a 7.27 earned-run average. Olson could be a situational lefty, and Sweeney began the night Friday not having thrown a pitch since being brought up June 16.
Kelley had appeared in 22 games this season, going 3-1 with a 3.99 ERA, but hadn’t pitched since June 15. He was placed on the DL retroactive to that date and is eligible to come off July 1.
“We’re not sure how his elbow is,” Wakamatsu said. “He just wasn’t getting better, but when he had an MRI done, it showed no structural damage. We’re just not sure how much time he’ll need to calm the inflammation down.”
SUBPAR SUBS
Fister’s return to the rotation will be his first start since May 31, when a tired right shoulder shelved him.
In his first 10 starts this season, he went 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA. In his absence, neither Ian Snell or Luke French won.
SHORT HOPS
When Felix Hernandez pitched nine innings Thursday but got no decision, he was the first Mariner to do so since, well, since Felix Hernandez went nine innings and got no decision on Sept. 27, 2005. ... Mariners starting pitchers went 5-0 on the last homestand, but Milton Bradley didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. Bradley went 0-for-18 during the six-game stretch, then picked up an RBI in his first at-bat of this trip with a sacrifice fly. ... Mike Sweeney is one of 36 active players who hit home runs in Milwaukee’s old ball park, County Stadium. ... The Mariners are on pace to steal 141 bases this season, and that would be the fourth-highest total in franchise history. They’re running effectively, too – stealing 28 bases in their past 32 attempts. ... Power shortage: Milwaukee’s starting lineup had 72 home runs Friday. The Mariners’ starters had 26.
ON TAP
Seattle will play in Milwaukee, a 1:10 p.m. (PDT) game that will be televised on FSN. Probable starting pitchers: Fister (3-3, 2.45 ERA) vs. Randy Wolf (5-6, 4.79).
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
