Mariners notes: Seattle won’t risk using Nelson Cruz as outfielder in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – Nelson Cruz’s sore left hamstring is feeling better, but it’s not good enough, manager Scott Servais believes, to risk possible renewed problems by playing in the outfield for the first time this season.
So with no designated hitter available under National League rules, Cruz was restricted to pinch-hitting duties Tuesday when the Mariners opened a two-game series against Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park.
“We’ll see how he is (Wednesday),” Servais said. “He is moving a little bit better with the hamstring. Not great. When you’re on defense, it’s different. You can’t control it. You see the ball in the air, you’re going to go after it.
“On the bases, at times, you can control it.”
Losing Cruz strips the Mariners of their hottest hitter. He had a 15-game hitting streak snapped Sunday against Texas but is batting .319 and leads the Mariners with seven homers and 28 RBIs.
“He’ll be available (to pinch hit) anytime, any place,” Servais said. “Unfortunately, you can only do it once.”
Cruz started 48 games last season in right field but has only served this season as the designated hitter. The Mariners started an outfield Tuesday of Guillermo Heredia in left, Jarrod Dyson in center and Ben Gamel in right.
O’Malley needs surgery
Utilityman Shawn O’Malley is expected to miss at least a couple of months after undergoing arthroscopic surgery Monday to clean up problems in his right shoulder.
It’s been a rough year for O’Malley, who underwent an emergency appendectomy on March 21. He began the season on the 10-day disabled list and was shifted May 2 to the 60-day disabled list.
O’Malley, 29, batted .229 last season in 89 games with two homers and 17 RBIs.
Mariners trade Fien
Veteran reliever Casey Fien came to Philadelphia but not to rejoin the Mariners’ bullpen.
The Mariners traded Fien, 33, to the Phillies for cash considerations. He was sent to Triple-A Tacoma on an outright assignment May 3 after clearing waivers.
Fien allowed 10 runs in six innings in six big-league outings over two tours. He allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings at Tacoma in five games.
Seattle also acquired righty Bryan Bonnell from the Tampa Bay Rays for the Mariners’ international signing slot, No. 71.