ANAHEIM, Calif. – Scratched from his scheduled start today by persistent tightness in his lower back, Felix Hernandez said he knew the Mariners had only his best interest in mind and appreciated their concern.
“But if it’s up to me, I’m pitching (today),” Felix said. “I want to be smart, but they pay me to pitch every fifth day.”
When will he pitch again?
Donning his Dr. Felix persona, Hernandez laid out his timetable: Play catch today, work out on the off day Thursday and throw a bullpen session at Safeco Field on Friday.
“That would have me ready to start Sunday,” the doctor said.
The Mariners say he could pitch Sunday but might need more time – and there’s another day off Monday.
“We’ll play off how he feels,” manager Eric Wedge said. “He’ll play catch (today), and we’ll see where he is and go from thee.
Hernandez hasn’t thrown with any seriousness since Saturday in Chicago, when he slipped while making a pitch.
“It doesn’t hurt unless I lift my leg to throw,” he said. “I have to be perfect to feel nothing.”
How, he was asked, did he injure himself in the second inning and stay in the game through five innings?
“You know me,” Felix said. “I don’t want to come out and I hate missing a start. If it was up to me, I’d pitch on my turn to start. But I understand why they’re doing what they’re doing. They know what they’re doing.”
SEAGER’S EXCITEMENT
When Kyle Seager homered in Seattle’s victory Monday, it didn’t give him bragging rights in his family.
“I probably came in third at the breakfast table conversation this morning,” he said.
Seager’s two younger brothers had, arguably, better days. Justin, a college sophomore, had a four-hit game, and Corey, the youngest Seager, was taken in the first round of the draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I was more excited when he was drafted than I was when I was picked in 2009,” Seager said. “He went No. 18, right out of high school. He has special skills, an awful lot of talent.”
SHORT HOPS
Seager had the second-most extra bases hits among American League third baseman (24) entering Tuesday, trailing only Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera (26). Seager had 16 doubles, a triple and seven homers. … Miguel Olivo led all AL catchers in runners caught stealing (10). … Four Mariners with more than 60 at-bats against the Angels began the night with career averages below .200 against them: Olivo (.191), Brendan Ryan (.167), Seager (.183), and Justin Smoak (.183). In his first 19 career at-bats against L.A., Jesus Montero hit .158.
ON TAP
Seattle plays Los Angeles in Anaheim, a 7:05 p.m. game today that will be televised on Root Sports. Probable starting pitchers: Hector Noesi (2-6, 5.51) vs. Jerome Williams (6-2, 3.68).
larry.larue@thenewstribune.comblog.thenewstribune.com/mariners
Twitter: @LarryLaRue
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