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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Notebook: New questions surround Drew Smyly’s return

FILE - In this March 6, 2017, file photo, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Drew Smyly throws against the Texas Rangers during the first inning of a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz. Smyly was to throw a simulated game before Wednesday’s Mariners game against the Phillies but he’s been shut down again and listed day-to-day. (Matt York / Associated Press)
By Bob Dutton Tacoma News Tribune

SEATTLE – Left fielder Ben Gamel and first baseman Danny Valencia returned Tuesday to the Mariners’ lineup, but there are renewed questions regarding left-hander Drew Smyly’s recovery from an elbow injury.

Smyly won’t to pitch two simulated innings, as previously planned, prior to Wednesday’s game against Philadelphia at Safeco Field.

Previous plans called for that simulated game to be the final step in Smyly’s recovery before departing on a minor-league rehab assignment in anticipation of returning July 17-19 from the disabled list.

“He’s kind of day to day right now,” manager Scott Servais hedged. “The original plan was to do a sim game (Wednesday), but we’ll see how he feels.”

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre said Smyly won’t throw a simulated game on Wednesday.

Smyly, 28, opened the season on disabled list after being diagnosed in late March as having a strained flexor bundle in his elbow.

Valencia, 32, returned to the lineup after missing two games because of a sore right wrist, which he first suffered May 19 on a slide at third on a triple.

“It’s good enough,” he said. “I can still feel it, but I’ve been dealing with it since it happened.”

Valencia is batting .273 with seven homers and 39 RBIs in 69 games, including .315 with three homers and 23 RBIs in 30 games since the injury.

Gamel, 25, missed just one game because of what Servais characterized as a lymph-node infection.

“He got on antibiotics the last couple of days,” Servais said. “He felt better (Monday), and he’ll be in there tonight.”

Gamel confirmed: “I’m good. Good to go.”

Even though Gamel’s .346 average, prior to Tuesday, was eight plate appearances shy of qualifying for the American League leaders, he nonetheless leads the league in batting.

Adding an 0 for 8 to Gamel’s numbers would still leave him with the league’s best average.

Minors news: Modesto’s Bannister tosses seven-inning one-hitter

Hi-A Modesto right-hander Nathan Bannister followed up a strong title-clinching performance with an even better outing and is the TNT player of the week in the Mariners’ farm system for the period of June 20-26.

Bannister, 23, limited Stockton (Athletics) to one hit in seven shutout innings Sunday but settled for a no-decision. The Nuts struck late for a 3-1 victory.

The California League picked Bannister as its pitcher of the week.

In his previous start, Bannister held Inland Empire (Angels) to one run in six innings in an 11-1 victory that enabled Modesto to clinch the North Division first-half pennant.

The last two starts represent a turnaround for Bannister, who is 3-4 with a 5.74 ERA overall in 12 starts for Modesto. The Mariners selected him in the 28th round of the 2016 MLB Draft.