Originally published Friday, July 3, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Mariners start new left fielder Ryan Langerhans

Recently acquired Ryan Langerhans started in left field for the Mariners against the Yankees on Thursday. That was a bit of a surprise, considering he's a left-handed batter and the Yankees started pitcher C.C. Sabathia, also a lefty

By Geoff Baker

Seattle Times staff reporter

NEW YORK — Recently acquired Ryan Langerhans started in left field for the Mariners against the Yankees on Thursday.

That was a bit of a surprise, considering he's a left-handed batter and the Yankees started pitcher CC Sabathia, also a lefty.

Langerhans was 2 for 4 with a double and was thrown out trying to steal second base in the second inning.

Langerhans will get the bulk of the playing time in left field when there's a right-handed pitcher on the mound. Wladimir Balentien gave manager Don Wakamatsu a reason to start Langerhans when he was picked off base Wednesday night.

"We've talked about trying to find out what kind of a player [Balentien] is," Wakamatsu said before Thursday's series finale at Yankee Stadium. "And there's good games and bad games. But I think it's a combination of both. He's going to have to produce against lefties. That's kind of his role right now. I didn't see it yesterday."

Trade rumors

As the Mariners get set to embark on the trading season, rumors are flying about who might be headed Seattle's way. A report this week said the Mariners and San Diego Padres have talked about third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. He has a sub-.280 on-base percentage, however.

Garrett Atkins of the Rockies, despite his salary, is a thought, especially if the Mariners could include Miguel Batista's contract as part of a deal.

Relievers Mark Lowe and Sean White could also be used as trade chips.

Note

• Ronny Cedeno came close to going deep a couple of times Wednesday night. On one occasion, he drilled a ball to dead center but it appeared to get knocked down by the wind. Another time, he hit one into the right field wind tunnel, but it fell short of the fence. "I missed that one," he said. "I didn't really hit it well. If I'd put the bat a little more on top of the ball, it might have had a chance."

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