Mariners brace for bad news on pitcher Jimenez

PEORIA, Ariz. – The Seattle Mariners have experienced an assortment of aches, pains and minor strains that are common at this point in spring training.

Third baseman Adrian Beltre has a sore left shoulder from swinging a bat too much. J.J. Putz has a tender right elbow, catcher Rob Johnson has stiffness in his knees and first baseman Richie Sexson was down Thursday with a stiff neck.

All of their maladies are considered minor and the Mariners aren’t concerned.

That relatively good report may change today.

The Mariners will get results back from a magnetic resonance imaging exam on pitcher Cesar Jimenez’s left elbow, and they’re bracing themselves for bad news.

Jimenez hurt his elbow while pitching Wednesday’s game against San Francisco and couldn’t complete his work. He left the game after the eighth.