Wedge makes moves without DH available

SAN DIEGO – Mariners manager Eric Wedge said he’s going to be happy to get the designated hitter back for good on Monday, so he won’t have to try to keep wedging more players than he has spots for into the lineup.

On Friday, it was Casper Wells getting the start in left field and Franklin Gutierrez in center, with Michael Saunders on the bench. Wedge said he’ll continue to juggle those three in this series against the Padres while playing Ichiro Suzuki in right.

“He’s playing good baseball, he’s swinging the bat well,” Wedge said of Wells. “We can’t get everyone we want to get in there without the DH. So with Gut and with Michael, we have three games here, and the way it will probably work out, they’ll each play two out of three games.”

Meanwhile, Jesus Montero sat out his second straight game, sandwiched by Thursday’s off day.

“I wanted to do that,” Wedge said. “I think it’s a good time for him to have a couple of days, mentally and physically, where he can get away from it a little bit.”

Larry Stone, Seattle Times