Pitcher Erik Bedard returned from his All-Star break Friday and told the Seattle Mariners that his tender left shoulder which has sidelined him since July 4 is no better than it was last week.
“We’re going to shut him down until Monday, and hope he can play catch then,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “There’s no timetable on getting him back. We’re not trying to pitch him before July 31.” That, of course, is the major league trading deadline.
It’s clear now that Bedard won’t be dealt, as a) he may not be off the disabled list by then and b) interested teams would want to have seen him pitch.
When he has pitched, Bedard is 6-4 with a 3.67 earned run average in 15 starts. At the same time, he’s missed starts be-cause of hip, back and shoulder problems.
In his absence, knuckleball specialist R.A. Dickey will start in Bedard’s spot, fifth in the Seattle rotation.
FEWER AT-BATS FOR VIDRO Riggleman tried to explain his 25-man roster, which still includes three catchers and Jose Vidro and his .215 batting average.
Jeff Clement is the No. 1 catcher, Riggleman said, although against left-hander Aaron Laffey, he chose to start No. 3 catcher Jamie Burke and use No. 2 catcher Kenji Johjima as the designated hitter.
“Burke is our best defensive catcher and handles Felix (Hernandez) well,” Riggleman said. “We’ll get Kenjji some at-bats at DH and Jeff will catch (today). The guy who’s going to lose playing time is Vidro.
“We’re going to use a lot of guys at DH, maybe give Ichiro or Raul (Ibaez) a day there. And with Bryan LaHair and Mi-guel Cairo at first base, Vidro’s going to lose at-bats there, too.
NIEHAUS BOBBLEHEAD WATCH
Broadcaster Dave Niehaus will be heading into the Baseball Hall of Fame late next week, and the Mariners will honor him on Aug. 3.
How?
They’ll give Niehaus bobbleheads to the first 25,000 fans through the gates for the Mariners-Orioles game that day.
SHORT HOPS
J.J. Putz won’t be activated before Sunday’s game against Cleveland, and then may be slowly worked back into the ninth inning closer’s role. ... LaHair will make his starting debut in the Seattle lineup today against lefty Jeremy Sowers. ... Since June 27, Ichiro has hit like, well, like only Ichiro can batting .397 in 17 games to hike his season average from .285 to .304. ...The Indians and Mariners will play a Turn-Back-the-Clock game today, with both teams wearing uniforms circa 1989. ...Among the Indians in town this weekend are former Mariners Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-soo Choo.