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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

M’s forced to think fast


Wilson Valdez will replace ailing Pokey Reese at shortstop in the Seattle Mariners' opener. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Tim Korte Associated Press

SEATTLE – Wilson Valdez looked a little dazed Sunday in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse, barely acquainted with most of his new teammates on the eve of his first opening-day start.

With veteran shortstop Pokey Reese placed on the 15-day disabled list, Seattle needed someone quickly for Monday’s opener against the Minnesota Twins. They found Valdez, who’s with his third team since Wednesday.

“They said when Pokey gets healthy he’s going to be the starting shortstop, but for now I’m starting. You just have to play day in and day out with heart. That’s how you play in my country,” said Valdez, from the Dominican Republic.

Reese, who won a World Series ring with Boston last season, joined Seattle as a free agent but was limited in spring training by a sore right shoulder that has been slow responding to treatment.

The Mariners have been vague about his condition.

“Fifteen days,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “And then it’s day to day after we get to 15 days.”

Seattle has depth at shortstop in the organization – Jose Lopez and Ramon Santiago saw significant time in the majors last season. Santiago, in fact, made a strong case for sticking with the club this spring.

Both will begin the season with Triple-A Tacoma, however, after Valdez was claimed off waivers Friday. General manager Bill Bavasi explained that the front office is reluctant to “bring up prospects based on our needs.”

Utility man Willie Bloomquist, who started 16 games at shortstop last season, was another option. But Hargrove said the Mariners had enough time to prepare for Reese’s absence and opted for Valdez, who played 19 games with the White Sox last season.

“There are certain positions where you really can’t be too deep, and shortstop is one of those,” Hargrove said. “It’s a difficult position to play. We just felt it made sense to go this route, especially when we found a player the caliber we felt Wilson Valdez is.”

It’s been a wild week for the 26-year-old Valdez, who was in Seattle for the first time in his life.

“It’s cold. It’s crazy,” he said. “We came in from Vegas, where it’s 70-something degrees.”

He was with the White Sox this spring, but left Chicago’s camp Wednesday after being claimed off waivers by the New York Mets. He went to Florida on Thursday, stayed overnight and played three innings in a Friday game.

He was waived again, and Seattle had claimed him by Friday evening. He caught a flight to Las Vegas, where the Mariners and Chicago Cubs played two exhibition games. Valdez arrived 20 minutes before the first pitch Saturday.

“I was running to get my uniform after I got off the plane,” he said.

Bavasi said Valdez was advised before taking the field Saturday that he’d be Seattle’s starter against the Twins. He went hitless in three at-bats but handled everything hit his way in the field.

“It was like working, trying to make the team,” Valdez said.

Notes

Seattle LHP Eddie Guardado‘s spring work was limited by a sore right hamstring, but he’s healthy and eager to face his former team. “You better believe it. I’m ready.” … Twins CF Torii Hunter was eager for the opener. “This team is not scared of anybody. We’re going to go out and play the game like we know how. If we lose, we lose.” … Hargrove is looking forward to his first real game as Seattle’s manager. “It was always one of my favorite cities to visit. I didn’t always look forward to playing the Mariners, but the fans were always great.”