Pitchers’ patience gets tested

DETROIT – On the day Felix Hernandez made his major league debut, two other young Mariners pitchers were dealing with the highs and lows of the game.

Before the game, Bobby Madritsch, who hasn’t pitched since injuring his left shoulder on April 6, played catch for just the third time, throwing to pitching coach Bryan Price from 50 feet, then 55 feet.

“Except he cheated,” trainer Rick Griffin said, grinning. “I drew the line where he was supposed to start his throw, and he’d get behind the line and only his front foot would hit the line. He’s dying to stretch it out.”

“It’s crazy, because I’ve pitched all my life, and now I have to try to remember how I used to do it,” Madritsch said. “It’s about finding your correct arm slot, repeating it, getting your mechanics back.”

Clint Nageotte, meanwhile, got to the ballpark Thursday after pitching 11/3 innings a night earlier – and was optioned back to Tacoma to make room on the 25-man roster for Hernandez.

Why Nageotte?

“Clint pitched 21/3 innings on Monday, 11/3 innings last night,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “It came down to innings – Masao Kida was fresher, and if we needed an arm today out of the bullpen, he can pitch and Clint can’t.”

Almost certainly, Kida will be sent to Tacoma today, when reliever Jeff Nelson rejoins the team after taking bereavement leave. For Nageotte, the logic was sound but the disappointment was just as clear.

Franklin supporters arise

Ryan Franklin has received dozens of phone calls since being suspended Monday for violating baseball’s anti-drug policy.

“Not one of them has been negative,” Franklin said. “I’m a little overwhelmed by so many friends who are encouraging me, praying for me.”

So all the reaction has been positive?

“Well, I don’t know if I’ll ever read the newspaper again,” he said, smiling.