PEORIA, Ariz. – Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez won’t participate in baseball activities for at least four weeks because of a partially torn pectoral muscle, then will be evaluated weekly.
That means Gutierrez, 29, could technically begin playing about the time the Seattle Mariners open the regular season on March 28 in Tokyo – and certainly could join them upon their return from Japan, when they don’t play another game that counts until April 6.
Gutierrez, injured Tuesday while throwing in a routine outfield drill, had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), then flew to Seattle on Wednesday to be examined by team doctor E. Edward Khalfayan.
Barring complications, the prognosis means Gutierrez shouldn’t miss more than a week or two of the regular season. In his absence, the Mariners have several players – including Michael Saunders, Casper Wells and Chone Figgins – capable of playing center field.
RYAN SENDS A REMINDER
Brendan Ryan reminded the Seattle Mariners what kind of shortstop he can be when healthy, and the objective now is simple – keep him healthy.
After a slow-growth throwing program to ease him past residual neck and shoulder issues, Ryan played in the field for the first time Wednesday.
Early on, he got his first real test.
Catcher Jesus Montero grounded sharply toward third, where the ball caromed off the glove of third baseman Francisco Martinez. Deep in the hole, Ryan backhanded the ball, set his feet and threw out Montero.
“Nice play,” manager Eric Wedge deadpanned. “Brendan is way ahead of where he was a year ago offensively, and he’s come a long way in camp already physically. He’ll get (today) off and get back to work Friday. That was a play we hoped to see, and we saw it.”
TOP TRIO TAKES ANOTHER STEP
The Mariners top three pitching prospects – Dan Hultzen, Taijuan Walker and James Paxton – worked their second intrasquad game, and each pitched a scoreless inning.
Walker and Paxton started, Hultzen worked an inning of relief, and afterward, Wedge was asked what he wanted to see from the 19-year-old Walker.
“Just experience his first big-league camp,” Wedge said. “Pitch his game, get him ready for the regular season. They all looked more comfortable today than their first day facing hitters, they pounded the strike zone better.”
How good were they? Walker allowed a one-out Kyle Seager triple that glanced off the glove of Trayvon Robinson – but stranded Seager at third.
CARP GETS DEFENSIVE
Mike Carp might not win Gold Gloves at any position, but he can hold his own defensively.
After playing in the outfield for two games, Carp played first base the past few days. Backhanding a ball down the line, Carp slid into first base just ahead of a sprinting Ichiro Suzuki to get the out.
“I’ve worked hard on my defense, infield and outfield,” Carp said.
SHORT HOPS
The Mariners have the day off today, a gift from Wedge and the staff after playing four intrasquad games in five days. Only two players will work out today: Felix Hernandez and catcher Miguel Olivo will play two simulated innings against minor league hitters. ... Lefty Charlie Furbush has worked a couple of innings in intrasquad games, and said adrenaline isn’t an issue until facing opposing batters. “Against your own guys, you’re trying to command the fastball in and out,” Furbush said. “Everything else works off the fastball, so you have to command that first.” ... Seager started at second base, and the Mariners clearly like the young infielder. “He squares the ball up as well as any young player we have,” Wedge said. ... Only one player had more than one hit in a 5-3 intrasquad victory: rookie third baseman Vinnie Catricala. Catricala, who had two homers and a double in earlier play, had a pair of singles in the final game. ... Left-hander Mauricio Robles brought his “A” game to the final inning, striking out all three batters he faced.
UP NEXT
Friday’s Cactus League opener at 12:05 p.m. (PST) pits Seattle against Oakland in Phoenix, 28 days before the two teams open the regular season in Tokyo. Probable starting pitchers: Seattle’s Blake Beavan vs. Graham Godfrey. It will be broadcast on 710-AM.
larry.larue@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
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