Mariners
Notebook: Ibanez working toward rehab

By Bob Sherwin
Seattle Times staff reporter

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PITTSBURGH — Raul Ibanez began his road back to the roster yesterday, as he was cleared to hit off the tee back in Seattle.

Ibanez strained his right hamstring June 3 and was expected to take at least a month to recover.

This is the first step in recovering his baseball form. Once he takes batting practice and can run the bases comfortably, he will be sent out to the minors on a rehab assignment.

In injury news among minor-leaguers, left-hander Ryan Anderson, the one-time No. 1 prospect who has had three surgeries on his shoulder, had a bullpen session yesterday at the Mariners' facility in Peoria, Ariz. He is on a timetable that could have him playing in minor-league games by July 15.

Outfielder Chris Snelling, who had surgery on his right wrist, is in Peoria working out. He could return by Aug. 1.

Shortstop Jose Lopez, who sprained the MCL in his right knee last week with Class AAA Tacoma, arrived in Peoria yesterday to begin his rehab. He could be out until the end of July. Tacoma right-hander Jeff Heaverlo also is in Peoria trying to deal with soreness under his right armpit.

Right-hander Aaron Taylor, who had offseason shoulder surgery, has a 4.15 ERA in four starts for Class AA San Antonio. He's throwing in the mid-90s again. He was the winning pitcher Thursday as the Missions beat Arkansas 6-3.

Moving up

Third baseman Greg Dobbs, perhaps the team's best hitter for average in the minors, has been promoted to Tacoma. He'll play third while Justin Leone, who was vying for the third-baseman-of-the-future mantle with Dobbs, plays shortstop in place of Lopez.
 
Dobbs, who hit .325 for San Antonio in 51 games, had two hits, one a home run, in his first six at-bats with the Rainiers.

Happy hitting

The Mariners' three-homer outburst Thursday against Milwaukee brought a smile to the face of beleaguered hitting instructor Paul Molitor. He has been trying all season to get his troops hitting at least up to their career levels.

"I've tried to pick up positives even in the leanest of times," Molitor said. "Anytime something good happens I try to remind the guys that that's the fun of the game; when you work and prepare, then you get results."

Pirates make change

Right-hander Kip Wells was scheduled to start tonight for the Pirates, but he has had a problem with the tip of the middle finger on his throwing hand. It appears to be a circulation problem, as it gets numb as he throws.

In his spot, the Pirates will pitch left-hander Sean Burnett, just called up from Class AAA Omaha. He was 1-5 with a 5.36 ERA.

Missing McClendon

Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon served a one-game suspension last night for a beanball incident involving pitcher Salomon Torres on June 12. Torres threw consecutive pitches behind Oakland's Damian Miller in the eighth inning. Torres was ejected and given a four-game suspension, which also began last night.

Bench coach Peter Mackanin served as the manager last night.

"I'm sure Mr. Mackanin has his marching orders. All he needs to do to play the game a certain way," M's manager Bob Melvin said before the game. "So I don't expect a whole lot (of changes)."

Notes

• Two former Mariners coaches are on the Pirates' staff. Gerald Perry, the Mariners' hitting coach from 2000 to 2002, serves in the same role for Pittsburgh. Rusty Kuntz, Seattle first-base coach from 1989 to 1992, is in his second season as first-base coach.

• Melvin will not use Monday's off day to skip No. 5 starter Clint Nageotte. Nageotte, who developed a cramp in his pitching hand his previous start, will start Tuesday against the Rangers in hot Arlington, Texas.