m's might not have closer sasaki in kc tonight or very limited...
Notebook: Sasaki's elbow turns tender, too
Closer Kazu Sasaki has joined utility man Mark McLemore on the Mariners' worrisome elbow list.
Sasaki came up with soreness in the elbow after his appearance Monday against the Minnesota Twins.
X-rays did not reveal any damage to the elbow, such as bone chips (which McLemore will have surgery to remove) or ligament problems.
Sasaki did not take part in pregame stretching yesterday and didn't even suit up.
"Of course I am worried. We'll see how it goes," Sasaki said. "There is some swelling and soreness."
Mariners Manager Lou Piniella did not consider it to be serious, saying, "He's got some inflammation there. With a little treatment and rest, he should be OK (by tomorrow)."
Sasaki had a sore back about a month ago. It's believed that the injury forced him to use his upper body more on his delivery, which in turn may have put more strain on his right elbow.
Three years ago, on Aug. 9, 1999, Sasaki had season-ending elbow surgery while playing for the Yokohama Bay Stars. That was just months before he signed with the Mariners.
Sasaki is 3-5 this season with a 1.69 ERA. He has 34 saves, third-most in the league. He has 116 saves in nearly three seasons with the Mariners.
Pineiro pushed back
Joel Pineiro, bothered recently by soreness in his left hip flexor, will have his next start pushed back three days. His normal turn would have fallen Saturday in Kansas City, but instead he will pitch Tuesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Ryan Franklin will make Saturday's start.
"Jamie (Moyer) said I'm getting old," joked Pineiro, who downplayed the injury. "I'm fine. Sometimes I feel it, and sometimes I don't. It's kind of like a cramp."
Pineiro welcomed the rotation alteration in one regard, because it allows him to start in the huge series against the A's in Oakland on Sept. 13-15. The Mariners will start Ismael Valdes, Jamie Moyer and Pineiro in those games.
Notebook: Sasaki's elbow turns tender, too
Closer Kazu Sasaki has joined utility man Mark McLemore on the Mariners' worrisome elbow list.
Sasaki came up with soreness in the elbow after his appearance Monday against the Minnesota Twins.
X-rays did not reveal any damage to the elbow, such as bone chips (which McLemore will have surgery to remove) or ligament problems.
Sasaki did not take part in pregame stretching yesterday and didn't even suit up.
"Of course I am worried. We'll see how it goes," Sasaki said. "There is some swelling and soreness."
Mariners Manager Lou Piniella did not consider it to be serious, saying, "He's got some inflammation there. With a little treatment and rest, he should be OK (by tomorrow)."
Sasaki had a sore back about a month ago. It's believed that the injury forced him to use his upper body more on his delivery, which in turn may have put more strain on his right elbow.
Three years ago, on Aug. 9, 1999, Sasaki had season-ending elbow surgery while playing for the Yokohama Bay Stars. That was just months before he signed with the Mariners.
Sasaki is 3-5 this season with a 1.69 ERA. He has 34 saves, third-most in the league. He has 116 saves in nearly three seasons with the Mariners.
Pineiro pushed back
Joel Pineiro, bothered recently by soreness in his left hip flexor, will have his next start pushed back three days. His normal turn would have fallen Saturday in Kansas City, but instead he will pitch Tuesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. Ryan Franklin will make Saturday's start.
"Jamie (Moyer) said I'm getting old," joked Pineiro, who downplayed the injury. "I'm fine. Sometimes I feel it, and sometimes I don't. It's kind of like a cramp."
Pineiro welcomed the rotation alteration in one regard, because it allows him to start in the huge series against the A's in Oakland on Sept. 13-15. The Mariners will start Ismael Valdes, Jamie Moyer and Pineiro in those games.
