Perez gives M’s pep talk

Whether it’s the quest to finish the season with a .500 record or something that’s amiss in the clubhouse, nobody would say.

Eduardo Perez, however, felt the need to speak up.

Before the Mariners began batting practice Tuesday afternoon, Perez gathered them together in right field for a players-only meeting.

Perez, an 11-year veteran who, at age 37 is the oldest player on a young team, wouldn’t divulge specifics on what he told his teammates.

“It was nothing about what’s happening on the field,” he said.

By some accounts, the meeting was about taking a professional approach in off-field activities that could have an effect on the Mariners’ play in their final 19 games. Entering Tuesday, they needed to go 13-6 to finish the season with a winning record.

“It’s September, let’s go,” said reserve infielder/outfielder Mike Morse, characterizing Perez’s message. “He’s a good clubhouse leader. He’s got more years than anybody. It’s good for a young team.”

Perez spoke to his teammates for less than 5 minutes. When most of them broke away to begin batting practice, he kept many of the Latin players and spoke to them in Spanish to make certain his message was clear. During that time, he kept a hand on shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt’s shoulder.

Perez has been with the Mariners since June 30, when he came in a trade with Cleveland that gave the club a much-needed veteran who is considered a positive influence in the clubhouse. Asked if he now feels comfortable stepping into a leadership role, Perez thought for a few seconds before answering.

“It’s just something that had to be done,” he said. “It’s something that was done when I was young. Players took me under their wing.”

Snelling drops in batting order

Right fielder Chris Snelling was dropped to ninth in the batting order when he entered Tuesday’s game hitless in his previous 16 at-bats.

He had struck out 22 times in 57 at-bats, with just six walks.

It continued a rough stretch for Snelling, who batted .216 at Triple-A Tacoma this season after coming back from knee surgery.

“I don’t know if this is an extension of that,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “There are some things he and Jeff (Pentland, Seattle’s hitting coach) are working on that may be different than what he’s used to, but in the long run it will pay off.

Soriano undergoes CAT scan

Injured relief pitcher Rafael Soriano had a CAT scan, two weeks after he suffered a concussion when he was hit behind his right ear with a line drive off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels.

Doctors will evaluate the scan and meet with Soriano this morning.

The Mariners right-hander was feeling better but still experiencing headaches.

He hasn’t been allowed to fly and won’t go with the team on the upcoming 11-game road trip unless doctors clear him today.

Hargrove chooses Johjima, Betancourt

Catcher Kenji Johjima and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt are long shots for postseason awards, but they’d get Hargrove’s vote if he had one.

Johjima, while a veteran in the Japan League, is a rookie in the majors and, with a .296 average, 15 home runs and 64 RBIs through Monday, has numbers that should get him votes for the American League Rookie of the Year award.

“That’s an awfully good rookie year and I think he should get some consideration,” Hargrove said. “Whether he wins it or not, who knows?”

Betancourt’s .973 fielding percentage ranks fifth among A.L. shortstops who’ve played at least 130 games. Betancourt entered Tuesday batting .297, and he could become the first Cuban-born shortstop to hit better than .300 for a season in major league history.

Hargrove doubts Betancourt, 24, will get serious consideration for a Gold Glove.

“I think he should,” Hargrove said. “Typically, it’s tough for a young kid to get a Gold Glove award. If I had a vote, I would vote for him.”

Notes

Hargrove wouldn’t say who would start Friday night’s game at Kansas City in the place of Felix Hernandez, and Saturday’s starter is listed as TBA as well. Right-hander Francisco Cruceta is the most likely to start Friday. Jake Woods’ turn in the rotation would come Saturday. Jarrod Washburn will pitch Thursday’s game and Gil Meche on Sunday. … Backup catcher Rene Rivera fielded balls at first base during early work in the afternoon, but Hargrove said there’s no move to play him there. “Just exercise,” Hargrove said. “It doesn’t hurt for catchers to do that, but there’s no plan for him to play there. But you never know.”