Mariners Blog
Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.
SubscribeSeptember 13, 2008 4:00 PM
Lineup bombshell; Beltre schedules surgery
Posted by Larry Stone
OK, maybe not a bombshell, but it's very interesting news: Jose Lopez is playing first base today. Apparently, it's something the Mariners have kicked around for awhile, and he's been working out there for the last couple of days. It gives them a chance to look at Luis Valbuena at second base, but it also provides a chance to evaluate the notion of Lopez as a first-base option down the road -- like maybe next year. Lopez will probably play first base frequently the rest of the way.
Riggleman said they're still viewing Lopez as a second basesman long-term, but you've got to wonder if this couldn't be a viable option for 2009. Valbuena is probably a longshot to be ready for a starting job by next year, but maybe someone else will, be available in the trade or free agent market. There even seems to be some sentiment that Tug Hulett could be a candidate to be a regular second baseman. Considering Lopez's range issues, it's something to discuss, at any rate.
I'll provide some quotes later, after I transcribe them, but I wanted to get this posted.
One other bit of news: Adrian Beltre has decided to have his thumb surgery next Thursday. He'll play today and tomorrow, and then shut it down for the season. That will give him time to get healthy for spring training, assuming all goes well. It will also provide a nice opportunity for Matt Tuiasosopo to play regularly the final two weeks.
Beltre had some interesting comments about next year that I'll post soon.
Digg
Newsvine
UPDATE - 8:32 AM
Recently listed
Popular searches
- SPU surprises neighbors with sale of Queen Anne rec property
- Beer-drinking bridge builders will get training from a counselor
- Boy's pat on president's head captured for history
- Police arrest New Jersey man who confessed to killing Etan Patz
- Man arrested in disappearance of NYC boy Etan Patz
- Amazon addresses criticism at meeting
- Matt Flynn has good day in Seahawks' 3-way QB competition
- Comedy gets zapped in 'Men in Black 3' | Movie review
- Why dealing for Kellen Winslow makes sense for Seahawks | Steve Kelley
- Chone Figgins likely to survive Miguel Olivo's return | The Hot Stone League
- NAACP returns to relevance by backing same-sex marriage
355 - Mariners try to extend some other team's misery for a change 337
- Quit drinking beer on job, Highway 520 builders told 318
- SPU surprises neighbors with sale of Queen Anne rec property 251
- Traffic study gives arena a green light; critics see red 222
- Protesters rally outside Amazon annual meeting 170
- Romney slams Obama, teachers unions 142
- Mariners avoid making Chone Figgins call, but can't keep doing nothing with him 122
- Opponents of gay-marriage law say they have enough signatures 118
- Sources: DOJ sends letters to city blasting police reform efforts 98
- Dig into colorful history at Oregon's John Day Fossil Beds
- Get a sitter — please — for these 10 great date-night restaurants | All You Can Eat
- SPU surprises neighbors with sale of Queen Anne rec property
- Beer-drinking bridge builders will get training from a counselor
- Gates Foundation grants give local groups a boost
- Zumiez rebounds from recession better than most
- Boy's pat on president's head captured for history
- Recipe: Brown Butter Asparagus Risotto
- 2 ex-Hopelink workers accused in $100,000 bus-pass theft
- Super Moon meets the Space Needle | The Reader's Lens
May
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 |