PEORIA, Ariz. — Chris Snelling's bad luck apparently has not changed.

One year and one day after having surgery to repair a broken hamate bone in his right hand, the oft-injured Mariners outfielder found out yesterday he will be out six weeks after surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his left knee.

Dr. Larry Pedegana, the Mariners' medical director and orthopedic surgeon, found the tear yesterday, after reviewing in Seattle an MRI taken Thursday after Snelling complained of pain in the knee.

The procedure is regarded minor, and Snelling was expected to have the operation performed in the Phoenix area by Dr. Matt Maddux, as soon as today.

Since signing with Seattle as a free agent out of his native Australia in 1999, Snelling, 23, has hit .300 or better when he has played. But he has not played a full season of pro ball since he was named the co-MVP (with Terrmel Sledge) of Everett of the Northwest League in 1999.

He was twice disabled with injuries to his left hand in 2000. He came back the next year to lead the California League with a .336 average at San Bernardino and establish himself as a major-league prospect, but ended up on the disabled list with a fractured ankle.

In 2002, he hit .326 at Class AA San Antonio and was called up to the big leagues in May. But he went out for the season when he tore the ACL in his left knee rounding third base June 4 in Oakland.

He started the 2003 season on the DL, still recuperating from the knee injury, but went on to hit .333 in 47 games at San Antonio, and .269 in 18 games after being promoted to Class AAA Tacoma.

Last year, he had the hamate surgery on Feb. 27, then had another procedure April 20 to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, surgery that kept him out for the season.

Line 'em up

With the Mariners facing the Padres in a morning B game today, manager Mike Hargrove's first lineup might look a lot like the order he will write down most of the 2005 season.

While the order is uncertain, the starters seemingly are not: RF Ichiro, LF Randy Winn, 2B Bret Boone, 1B Richie Sexson, 3B Adrian Beltre, DH Raul Ibanez, C Miguel Olivo, CF Jeremy Reed, SS Pokey Reese.

After the anticipated regulars get one or two at-bats in three or four innings, Hargrove will play Shin-Soo Choo in right, Wladimir Balentien in left, Ricky Gutierrez at second, Scott Spiezio at first, Willie Bloomquist at third, Matt Tuiasosopo at DH, Dan Wilson at catcher, Jamal Strong in center and Jose Lopez at shortstop.

Putting the brakes on Bucky

According to Hargrove, Bucky Jacobsen's recovery from right knee surgery will be slowed down.

"We're going to rein him in some, take him off his feet," Hargrove said. "We may have him hitting every other day now."

Jacobsen said the knee is sore, but he had been trying to deal with it.

"I don't know what the plan is, as far as how much work or hitting they will let me do," he said. "They tell me I can't do anything in this condition that will allow me to make the team, then I have to listen and do what they say. It's reality, but it sucks."

Notes

• A couple of fans gave pitcher Bobby Madritsch a certificate for body work at a nearby tattoo parlor. Madritsch already has 20 tattoos.

• Seattle players had their annual spring meeting with officials from the Major League Players Association.