M's Notebook | Weaver out with tendinitis

Jeff Weaver can't explain the 0-6 record or the 14.32 earned-run average. He can explain what it feels like to try to throw a fastball by somebody, then watch a home run fly over his shoulder, a glance at the radar gun showing 88 mph.

That pitch should be effortless. But it's not; it's like Weaver's still in the dead-arm phase most pitchers work through in spring training.

"It just feels like I'm putting 100 percent effort into every pitch to get minimal results," Weaver said. "Mechanically and mentally, I've got all the confidence in the world. The deception [on pitches] isn't where it should be."

To that end, the Mariners placed Weaver on the 15-day disabled list on Friday, his first ever DL stint. The diagnosis: tendinitis in his right shoulder. The plan: strengthen the rotator cuff and forearm, increase hip flexibility, and work on using the legs more and arm less in Weaver's throwing motion.

Weaver admitted he may be at the point in his career where he needs more physical strength to get the requisite zip and deception on his pitches. He also said that extended work in the postseason last year, along with the Mariners' run of canceled games in April, may have factored into his dead arm.

Manager Mike Hargrove noted that some zip seemed to return to Weaver two starts ago against the Yankees in New York. Of course, he still allowed six runs in 5-2/3 innings, but progress is progress. Then came Weaver's last start, a six-run debacle in Detroit in which his pop regressed.

The Mariners faced three options: cut Weaver, move him to the bullpen, or keep him in the rotation. They pressed him on the possibility he was injured, and after finding out the answer, they opted for ... none of the above.

"Jeff is one of those guys that doesn't say anything," Hargrove said. "He's a tough guy, a great competitor. Where somebody else may speak up, he hasn't. You have to respect his work ethic and the fact that he wants to win and wants to contribute. And we do. But sometimes you need to take care of things to get them back right."

The good thing, according to Weaver's agent, Scott Boras, is the pitcher has been down Redemption Road before. Last season, in fact, when Weaver went from losing his job to his younger brother with the Angels to World Series hero with the Cardinals in a matter of months.

"This guy just shows he can be a very important part of not just a team, but a winning team, and take on big games," Boras said. "I don't think there's any question in Jeff's mind he'll, by the end of the season, be a part of that again. But is he a guy that's at full strength? The answer is no."

Cha Seung Baek will stay in the rotation as the fifth starter when Felix Hernandez returns on Tuesday.

Notes

• To take Weaver's place on the roster, the Mariners recalled LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith from Class AAA Tacoma. The 23-year-old Australian went 2-2 with a 5.68 ERA at Tacoma, but Hargrove said his arm is rested — good news for the Mariners' beleaguered bullpen.

• Blake Lewis, Bothell native and "American Idol" finalist, sang the national anthem. As was expected, much teenage screeching followed his performance.

• Hargrove on struggling 1B Richie Sexson: "If you've been watching the games, he's hit the ball pretty hard. ... Given enough at-bats and enough playing time, Richie's track record says he'll end up with 35-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs. That's a pretty good season."

For the record

Streak: W1

Home: 9-6

Road: 7-9

vs. AL West: 7-5

vs. L.A.: 0-3

vs. Oakland: 4-1

vs. Texas: 3-1

vs. AL East: 4-4

vs. AL Central: 5-6

vs. NL: 0-0

vs. LHP: 5-2

vs. RHP: 11-13

Day: 6-6

Night: 10-9

One-run: 3-4

Extra innings: 0-0

Home attendance

Friday's crowd: 44,214

Season total: 406,789

Biggest crowd: 46,003 (April 2)

Smallest crowd: 16,555 (May 2)

Average (15 dates): 27,119

2006 average (15 dates): 26,104