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Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

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April 29, 2008 1:54 PM

Vidro back in

Posted by Geoff Baker

As you can see, not only is there no snow, or rain here, but it's actually quite a nice day. A little on the chilly side, but hey, the Mariners are probably used to that by now. They should feel right at home. Hopefully, Richie Sexson won't. He's in the bottom 10 of the AL in home average -- fifth worst at .160. But he's also in the top-50 in road average, checking in at #47 with a .270 figure. Speaking of hitters trying to get it going all-around, Jose Vidro is back in the lineup as the DH. I'm not all that surprised. Greg Norton is not going to play every day. Vidro is hitting .318 versus righthanders, only .154 against lefties (whoops -- actually, I did reverse those numbers. It's the righties he can't hit. Hmm, he's in big trouble tonight unless he turns things around). This is his opportunity, though he'd probably rather not have to face Fausto Carmona of the Indians for the first time in his career.

But what can you do? Playing time is going to be decreasing for Vidro until he shows something.

No Jeff Clement today. As we mentioned this morning, if the team can gain a year of service time by waiting until May 7 on Clement, then it's hard to fault the club for doing so. Waiting until mid-June to avoid a "Super Two'' designation would not be in the club's interests. But a full year of service time? Hard to pass that up, slumping offense or not. But wow, if this team doesn't get its bats going on this trip, even waiting until May 7 will seem like waiting until Aug. 7.

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