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Seattle Mariners

Baseball notebook: Sore shoulder saps Fister

Mariners starting pitcher Doug Fister has a team-low 2.45 ERA this season in 10 appearances. (Associated Press)
Associated Press

Seattle Mariners starter Doug Fister was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a sore pitching shoulder.

Fister is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA in 10 starts. The right-hander was scratched from his scheduled outing Saturday to try to alleviate the pain in his shoulder. He said Friday that the shoulder began bothering him after his previous start against Minnesota on Monday. The move is retroactive to June 1.

“As far as medical, nothing has changed,” Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said. “We think that other than him being fatigued, that it’s probably smarter to take the time right now and miss two starts. It’s just a little bit wiser.”

Wakamatsu said team officials had noticed Fister’s velocity begin to drop during his start against Tampa Bay on May 14, but it wasn’t until Friday that they decided to skip his start. It took prodding from Wakamatsu for Fister to admit that he had felt some discomfort in his shoulder since his last outing.

“Just kind of a consensus of both sides with just some fatigue and a little soreness,” Fister said Friday. “Probably a better idea to take it off now than it would be to take it off later.

“It’s just a little tired and we’re giving it a little rest.”

The Mariners have used their bullpen heavily the last two games, leaving them short Sunday against the Los Angeles Angels. The lack of available arms helped lead to the decision to place Fister on the disabled list.

The team recalled left-hander Luke French from Triple-A Tacoma to help in the bullpen.

Chavez lauds pitcher

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called Armando Galarraga a “tremendous pitcher” and praised him for his sportsmanship after an umpire’s blown call robbed him of a perfect game.

Chavez called for a round of applause for the Venezuelan pitcher during his weekly TV and radio program, saying “everyone knows he pitched a perfect game.”

“From here we salute Armando,” Chavez said.

Stanton called up

The slumping Florida Marlins say highly touted prospect Mike Stanton will make his major league debut Tuesday in Philadelphia.

Stanton wowed the Marlins during spring training with his power but the 20-year-old outfielder was sent to Double-A Jacksonville for seasoning. He responded by dominating the Southern League, hitting .311 with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 52 games.

Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez says Stanton is going to play every day.

Infielder Mike Lamb will be designated for assignment to make room.