Originally published Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 12:00 AM
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Ichiro expected to be back in M's lineup Wednesday
Ichiro Suzuki rejoined the Seattle Mariners on Monday and is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Associated Press
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KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Ken Griffey Jr. and Ichiro Suzuki watch batting practice Monday before Tuesday's season opener at Safeco Field.
KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Ken Griffey Jr., right, meets up with Ichiro Suzuki at the batting cage during practice at Safeco Field on Monday.
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Ichiro Suzuki rejoined the Seattle Mariners on Monday and is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Suzuki was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his major league career on April 3 with a bleeding ulcer, leaving the Mariners without one of their best players for the start of the season.
Seattle responded by winning five of seven on its opening road trip and hosts the Angels on Tuesday at Safeco Field, with Suzuki likely to be activated before the Mariners' second home game.
"In my mind, I'm playing on Wednesday," Suzuki said before the Mariners worked out at their ballpark on Monday.
The All-Star outfielder said he felt so good it was "annoying" him.
"Up to this point, I've been able to play baseball with my health. And I took it for granted," Suzuki said through a translator. "Now, I truly understand the joy of playing while healthy."
Suzuki had been remarkably healthy since arriving in Seattle in 2001, missing just 16 games before this year and only three games in the previous five seasons. He had played in 197 consecutive games.
Suzuki said he still has to get a final blood test. And manager Don Wakamatsu said the team still wanted to see how Suzuki looked in batting practice Monday -- and he looked normal, spraying line drives. But Wakamatsu added that it looked as if Suzuki would be would be able to return Wednesday.
"It's nice to have the whole team back," Wakamatsu said before Suzuki was the first Mariner to step into the batting cage Monday.
Suzuki has been an All-Star in all eight of his Mariners' seasons, and has eight Gold Gloves. Last year, when he tied with Boston's Dustin Pedroia for the major league lead with 213 hits, Suzuki set the modern record with his eighth consecutive 200-hit season. Willie Keeler (1894-1901) is the only other major leaguer with eight straight 200-hit years.
Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company
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