Beavan gets hammered by Indians
This wasn’t the outing Mariners starter Blake Beavan was looking for with the regular season just over a week away.
Beavan had his worst start this spring Saturday in a 10-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians, giving up nine runs – eight earned – on 16 hits over 5 1/3 innings in Peoria, Ariz. The unearned run scored on a wild pitch by Beavan, who also gave up home runs to Cord Phelps and Jason Giambi in his bid to land one of two open spots at the back of the Mariners’ rotation.
“It was just one of those days,” Beavan said. “But at the same time I was just having trouble getting the ball down today. Whether it was a good or bad pitch, when I got ahead I just couldn’t put them away, which is usually not a problem.”
Mariners manager Eric Wedge was quick to say one outing won’t decide whether a pitcher wins or loses a spot. “You evaluate everything, the good days and the not-so-good days,” Wedge said.
Michael Saunders led off for the M’s, going 2 for 5. Wedge said he’ll likely go with a combination of Saunders and Franklin Gutierrez at leadoff to start the season.
Also, Jon Garland was officially granted his release, one day after the pitcher used an “out” clause in his contract when the Mariners declined to guarantee him a roster spot. Nonroster infielder Mike Jacobs also requested and was granted his release.
Ramirez injury puts spotlight on toll of WBC
Four more innings. That’s all Hanley Ramirez had to get through before the Dominican Republic could return him to the Dodgers in working condition.
But Ramirez tore ligaments in his right thumb diving for a ball in Tuesday night’s World Baseball Classic championship game. Suddenly the Dodgers are without their shortstop and No. 5 hitter for the first two months of a season in which their new ownership has committed $213 million on player salaries with the expectation of an October run.
“It’s something I can’t control,” Ramirez said. “It could have happened anywhere. It could have happened (in the Dodgers’ camp). It unfortunately happened in the WBC. It’s very disappointing.”
Clearing the bases
St. Louis’ Carlos Beltran’s ailing pinkie on his right foot is keeping the outfielder’s return indefinite. … Bryce Harper was scratched from the Washington Nationals’ lineup because of swelling in his left hand. … Miami Marlins prospect Marcell Ozuna has a broken bone in his hand. Ozuna earlier this week crashed into a chain-link fence pursuing a fly ball. … Johan Santana and his surgically repaired shoulder still don’t know when he’ll take the mound again. … Pitchers Darin Downs, Brayan Villarreal and Bruce Rondon are likely to fill Detroit’s bullpen. … After allowing three runs and seven hits to Toronto’s prospects, Philadelphia pitcher Roy Halladay says he must reinvent himself and attack hitters with a different approach.