KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -Seattle ace Felix Hernandez was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday to start against the Kansas City Royals.
Hernandez sprained his left ankle covering home plate on a wild pitch in the Mariners’ 5-2 win over the New York Mets on June 23. Hernandez, who was one out short of being eligible for a win, tried to stay in but left after a painful warmup pitch.
Hernandez was 6-5 with a 2.83 ERA in 16 starts before the injury.
The Mariners optioned right-hander Jared Wells to Triple-A Tacoma to make room for Hernandez. Wells was just recalled Thursday from Tacoma, where he was 1-3 with a 4.41 ERA and 15 saves.
Closer J.J. Putz, who went on the disabled list June 13 with a hyperextended right elbow, is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment Sunday with the Mariners’ Arizona Rookie League club.
“He’s feeling real good,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “He is scheduled to pitch hopefully Sunday and Tuesday in Arizona and then (next) Friday in Tacoma. Then we’ll just leave it up in the air from there as to whether he pitches again in Tacoma or joins us.”
Ichiro Suzuki was back in right field for Friday’s game. He was the designated hitter Wednesday and did not start Thursday, walking as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. He has been bothered by hamstring tightness.
“I was trying to get him an off day,” Riggleman said. “He said he’s full go today. He might have had a little tightness in there, but I don’t think he had anything to be too concerned about.”
Miguel Batista, who left a Wednesday start with a groin strain, is progressing. Batista is 4-10 with a 6.22 in 23 games, including 15 starts.
“We think he is going to be OK,” Riggleman said. “There’s an outside chance he could pitch in the bullpen this weekend, not that we’re looking to do that, but if there is a need there’s a possibility he could pitch out of the bullpen on Sunday.”
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