MARINERS NOTEBOOK: Rowland-Smith to get start Saturday

He’s in Tacoma

Rowland-Smith, however, will start Saturday, Aug. 8, and into the foreseeable future in that spot, and Batista’s back-and-forth season will see him return again to the bullpen.

Is the veteran right-hander happy? No. But with one year left on his Seattle contract, it’s not like he has many options. Or many reasons to complain. In 28 games, including 19 starts, Batista has gone 4-11 with a 6.80 earned run average.

If Rowland-Smith hadn’t taken his spot, it would have been taken down the line by Brandon Morrow or Ryan Feierabend – arms the Mariners want to see before the end of the season.

Just how they’ll be worked into the rotation remains to be seen, but manager Jim Riggleman said Batista’s move to the bullpen could well be for the rest of the season.

Who is on first?

First base has been something of a Devil’s Triangle for the Mariners this season, and nearly everyone on the roster has played or practiced at the position – with Jeremy Reed joining the club Thursday, Aug 7.

Since opening day, Richie Sexson, Jose Vidro, Greg Norton, Miguel Cairo and Bryan LaHair have started at first base.

Before games, the Mariners have had Willie Bloomquist, Jeff Clement, Kenji Johjima and now Reed practice. Why?

“You want to be as flexible as you can be, and in games where we make changes late, having pieces you can move from one position on the field to another helps,” Riggleman said. “And guys have kind of taken to trying new positions in practice. It breaks up the work.”

Short hops

Erik Bedard played catch again Thursday, Aug. 7, making 50 throws and feeling comfortable. Riggleman said there’s been a “big change” in the last 10 days, and that Bedard is throwing a “firm” ball. Make of that what you will – Bedard will throw again Saturday and Sunday. ... Raul Ibañez has been on an RBI tear of late, and one reason is his hitting with runners in scoring position. Since July 31, Ibañez is batting .700 in that situation. ... Another streak, ho-hum: Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a single – the 28th time in his career he’s had one of 10 or more games.