Hard work appears to pay off for Figgins

PEORIA, Ariz. – Chone Figgins is putting in extra work this spring after a rough first season with the Seattle Mariners.

It appears to be paying off.

The veteran infielder has been taking a lot of ground balls at third base, shortstop and second base.

His fielding isn’t what will likely put Figgins in the spotlight in Seattle, though. He is expected to start the season as the Mariners’ new leadoff man, succeeding Ichiro Suzuki, who held the spot for 11 seasons.

Ichiro will hit third in manager Eric Wedge’s batting order. Figgins, who batted .188 in 81 games last season, doesn’t see his new role as a fresh start for an underachieving player. The difference for him is that he’s back from a hip flexor injury that cost him the last two months of last season.

“I’m healthy this year,” Figgins said after being the last player off the practice fields Monday. “Healthy, and being able to get back out here and play baseball like I can. It’s not so much about the leadoff spot, it’s about, you know, I had a rough year with injuries and stuff and now I’m back healthy.”

Early indications are that Figgins’ plate discipline and patience have improved. In two intrasquad games Figgins, batting leadoff, has walked three times in five plate appearances, scored three runs and drove in one.

Gutierrez scratched

Mariners center fielder Franklin Gutierrez was scratched from an intrasquad game Tuesday and taken by a trainer for an MRI exam of his upper body after experiencing pain while throwing in a morning drill.

Wedge said Gutierrez appeared to have suffered a pectoral muscle injury in his chest.