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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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July 23, 2008 12:23 PM

Jeff Clement probably out until Saturday

Posted by Danny O'Neil

Jeff Clement didn't require any stitches for the nail that tore off the thumb nail on his throwing hand early in Tuesday's game. He was sore, though, and isn't in the lineup Wednesday. Kenji Johjima is catching with Jose Vidro as designated hitter. Manager Jim Riggleman said Clement can swing OK, but throwing is the issue. He didn't completely rule out Clement playing on Friday, but said since the Mariners are scheduled to face left-hander John Parrish in Toronto, Clement's return likely will wait until Saturday.

"If he's totally 100 percent we may get him in there," Riggleman said. "But if he's anything less than 100 percent I might wait until Saturday when a right-hander's pitching."

Carlos Silva left Sunday's game with a lower-back issue, but Riggleman said before Wednesday's game that Silva is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday and is expected to make his next start, which would be Saturday in Toronto. Miguel Batista will start on Friday for Seattle.

Riggleman also said he doesn't expect left-hander Erik Bedard to pitch before the end of the month, however, the magnetic-resonance image (MRI) seemed to be a boost to the pitcher.

"He seemed encouraged by the results of the MRI," Riggleman said.

Riggleman said that it told Bedard that the soreness he's feeling in the shoulder is "pretty normal" and allayed questions if there was a more serious problem. Now it's just a matter of when Bedard starts feeling well enough to throw some.

"His tone in the whole thing is kind of a little more positive," Riggleman said of Bedard.

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Submit a comment

Posted by ayala_terrace

12:34 PM, Jul 23, 2008

In a story about catchers, Geoff goes out of his way to mention who is going to DH.

Editorial?

Posted by kevin_ess

12:42 PM, Jul 23, 2008

@ Ayala: Did that comment make you feel better? Take a nap.

Posted by Top pick in 09 draft

12:44 PM, Jul 23, 2008

We currently are 1/2 game out in the Strasburg sweepstakes - race for next year's #1 draft pick. With Batista and Silva scheduled to pitch Friday & Sat., I think it's safe to say we should be in the lead after those games. Looks like our competition for the pick, SD & Washington, are in a full-scale team rebuilding mode with an eye on the pick. Maybe MLB will need to institute an NBA-style weighted lottery system if the "tanking" gets too noticeable.

Posted by scottM

1:11 PM, Jul 23, 2008

Since you're getting called out today, GEOFF, where's the link of you singing along with Manny? Please don't tell us you didn't have the tape rolling. How do we know this really happened?

When you're in those critical interview situations, you need to remember your Concentration, guy. Push "play" and then sing!

Posted by dbara43

1:29 PM, Jul 23, 2008

What's the definition of insanity? Trotting the same lineups and pitchers out every day and expecting a different result. Vidro as DH? Johjima? Batista and Silva? I'm done. I'm not watching anymore until they start fielding lineups with the young guys starting. We might as well forfeit these games, we have no chance with these pathetic lineups.

Posted by tomtom

1:49 PM, Jul 23, 2008

Wow, Beddard needs a psycologist.

Posted by Walla Walla Girl

2:01 PM, Jul 23, 2008

That's right, Geoff, scottM and I want to hear the tape of you and Manny singing!

Posted by Resin isn't Cheating

2:05 PM, Jul 23, 2008

Do you think "playing the kids" as a marketing strategy is going to send fans scurrying off to buy season tickets?

Geoff, you must be able to hear the booing from the press box associated with Vidro, Cairo, and Sexson this year when they failed between the white lines.

Fans have been more vocal in the past. I believe "playing the kids" shows fans the front office isn't going to sit on their hands the rest of the year with veterans.

Even though I suspect these bozos are making decisions on the fly. Sort of like when Guy Carbonneau calls line changes to get the best match-ups in the middle of game action. This front office does the same thing during the season, except instead of game strategy they change future goals and plans on the fly. I wonder if Armstrong and the crew just discuss fishing and truck stop jokes during the off-season since they have so much free time doing zero planning and just waiting for free agency or bad trades to fix their mistakes.

Posted by Reading Comprehension?

2:11 PM, Jul 23, 2008

All:

If you bothered to read, you may see that Danny O'Neil, not Geoff, is filing the blog today.

Sheesh.

Posted by Al

2:15 PM, Jul 23, 2008

If Clement can swing OK, than why isn't he DHing?

Does anyone besides Riggleman actually think its a good idea to keep giving Vidro the last few starts of his career over the team's top prospect?

Posted by Walla Walla Girl

2:27 PM, Jul 23, 2008

It figures I'd get caught the one time I didn't read the author of the blog. Hi Danny.

Posted by Waz

2:30 PM, Jul 23, 2008

Miguel Batista will start on Friday for Seattle.

Give me a break.. Why can't Mariners organization understand that he can't pitch for crap.

Posted by doug

4:25 PM, Jul 23, 2008

Wow, another freaking BABY going on the DL. what is with the mariners and these freakin wuzzes

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