‘Discomfort' holds up Bedard's return

Erik Bedard’s much anticipated return to the Seattle starting rotation hit another stop sign Monday when he told the team he’d had “discomfort” in his surgically repaired left shoulder after a bullpen session in Tacoma on Saturday.

Bottom line: He won’t be starting tonight against the Kansas City Royals.

“He says he’s still feeling a little bit of discomfort in his shoulder,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “It crept up on him in his last bullpen.”

Bedard was to be re-evaluated Monday by team doctors, and the Mariners hoped both he and they could be reassured.

For Bedard, the setback was apparently much like the one in late May after he’d thrown a simulated inning.

Out since last July, operated on in August, Bedard’s rehab had reached the point that he threw an 81-pitch start in Tacoma on July 1. After that, he’d told the team and media he felt ready to go.

Now?

“It’s a little bit of what he experienced before, a little bit of stiffness in his shoulder,” Wakamatsu said. “Rather than jump right into the start and hope that it goes away, we’ll find out what the doctors say about it and hopefully they’ll reassure him that it’s nothing serious and that it’s just a little bit of stiffness after this last bullpen.”

With Bedard out, the Mariners will stay in rotation – Ryan Rowland-Smith today, Doug Fister Wednesday and Jason Vargas on Thursday.

Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair had hoped to give Fister and Vargas a bit of rest before the All-Star break, but that’s not on the agenda now. The way the rotation sets up, the only possibility for Bedard before the All-Star break would be Sunday against New York.

Given Cliff Lee’s status on the trade market, it just might be that he, Hernandez and Bedard will never get the opportunity to pitch back-to-back-to-back.

RELIEVERS VISIT

Two disabled Mariners relievers were in the clubhouse Monday – Mark Lowe and Shawn Kelley – and both were feeling considerably better.

Weeks after back surgery to repair a herniated disk, Lowe could stand up straight, bend over and walk without pain – something he hadn’t been able to do before his operation.

“I’ll start physical rehab next week, but right now I can tie my own shoes, which I couldn’t do before surgery,” Lowe said. “That’s a big improvement.”

Kelley, who went on the DL with elbow inflammation, is likely to start throwing again Wednesday or Thursday, although he still has some issues.

“Turning a doorknob, brushing my teeth, turning the ignition key in the car – any kind of twisting motion, I still feel it,” Kelley said.

He’s been able to keep up with his running and shoulder exercises but won’t be available to Seattle until after the break.

PINEDA WATCH

Wakamatsu was asked about Tacoma Rainiers pitcher Michael Pineda, specifically whether he was aware of how well he’d been pitching.

“Fully aware,” Wakamatsu said. “Tremendous stuff. He has a nice pitcher’s body and just an electric fastball. Command was the thing. We took him to San Francisco in that (spring training) exhibition game, to get him a little bit of experience.

“I think you’ve always got to be a little careful how fast you rush guys. We started him in Double-A to prove himself and he did a nice job there, and he’s had a lot of success in Triple-A. Let’s just hope that continues.”

ON TAP

Seattle plays host to the Kansas City Royals for a 7:10 p.m. game today that will be televised on FSN. Probable starting pitchers: Kansas City’s Zach Greinke (4-8, 3.94 ERA) vs. Rowland-Smith (1-7. 5.97).

larry.larue@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners