Hibbard Takes Mound Again, Lasts 5 Minutes

Greg Hibbard fled Arizona last week in great physical condition, with a marvelous tan and a bad left shoulder - and brought all three to the Kingdome.

Hibbard, the 30-year-old lefthander recuperating from major shoulder surgery, has been sidelined more than five weeks with inflammation after a four-inning appearance in extended spring training.

On Wednesday, throwing off a mound, Hibbard had to stop again after less than 5 minutes.

“It’s really inflamed again,” Hibbard said. “It’s frustrating, because I’m in great shape, I’m doing everything I’m supposed to - except pitch.”

In the second year of a three-year contract, Hibbard hasn’t pitched in the majors since last June 13 and it’s possible he may need another surgery this year to correct problems in that ailing left shoulder.

“My goal all year was to get 100 percent ready for next year,” Hibbard said. “I was feeling fine in Arizona, building up my innings, my pitch count, then I had to shut down. I’ve had shots, I’ve taken medication. Right now they’re just not sure what’s going to happen.

“The last time I threw off the mound, I couldn’t lift my arm the next day. I’d be driving and when I turned the steering wheel my shoulder would start making popping noises.”

Seattle has virtually ruled out a return to the active roster this season by Hibbard and hopes that medication, rest and continued exercises - not additional surgery - gets Hibbard healthy again.

Quiet crowd

That Tuesday night crowd of 9,767 in the Kingdome wasn’t just small, it was eerily quiet.

“It was like a morgue in here,” manager Lou Piniella said. “That was the quietest I’ve heard a crowd in my three years. We fell behind early, and that didn’t help, but you could hear players on the field talking.”

Notes

Tim Belcher is 0-3 in his last three decisions, though he’s throwing the ball slightly harder than he did during his 3-0 streak. His best fastball early was 88 mph, but in his last loss - Tuesday night - he was clocked at 90 mph. “It’s location, not velocity,” Piniella said. “He’s throwing hard, he’s just missing with all his pitches, and missing in the worst possible spots.” … Felix Fermin took batting practice Wednesday for the first time since being hit on the left elbow by a Chuck Finley fastball last Saturday.