Beltre considered day-to-day

SEATTLE -- Adrian Beltre wasn't in the Mariners lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, but the fact that he could be in the lineup shortly had everyone breathing a little bit easier.
Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said Beltre was diagnosed with a Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring, which tightened up on the third baseman in Sunday's game against the Nationals in Washington. Hargrove said it's the least serious type of strain, so the team is considering Beltre to be day-to-day, and will see how he progresses.

Hargrove did say that it's likely Beltre will be out the next three, four, or possibly five games, but probably not the dreaded 15 days on the disabled list.

"We don't anticipate it being a DL," Hargrove said. "It may turn out to be that way ... you never know with hamstrings. But I don't know that we're really even talking about the DL."

Hargrove said it was particularly frustrating timing for the injury because he felt Beltre was coming around at the plate.

Before he left Sunday's game, Beltre, who signed a five-year, $64 million contract with the Mariners over the winter, had hit two doubles to raise his season batting average to .244. He has five home runs and 30 RBIs.

"He was starting to swing the bat well," Hargrove said. "Every day was a little bit better. That's why I don't think this will set him back."

It was the second time this season Beltre had to leave a game prematurely because of the tender hamstring, which he hurt several years ago while playing for the Dodgers.

Hargrove said it was difficult to get Beltre to agree to sit out for one game, let alone a few.

"He's reluctant to come out of the lineup," Hargrove said.

Dave Hansen started at third base in Beltre's place Tuesday night, and Hargrove said it would be between Hansen and Greg Dobbs for the remainder of the starts while Beltre is out.

Madritsch cleared to run: Lefty starter Bobby Madritsch, who pitched in one game this year before tearing shoulder ligaments, got the results from his recent MRI, and was told that his shoulder is "90 percent healed."

Madritsch was therefore cleared to lift weights and do exercises that don't extend his range of motion to over his shoulder. But more important to Madritsch was the fact that he was cleared Tuesday to begin running again.

"It feels good to know I can do something where I'm not just sitting around," said Madritsch, who was so bored recently that he got into building model trains and cars.

"I'm going to be running around my apartment. I'm going to be running everywhere."

Madritsch also said he ordered the Bowflex home exercise machine, and was surprised when it arrived.

"I thought it would be one box," he said. "It was nine boxes."

Madritsch said he feels a lot better about his recovery and that he'll find out more information when he goes in for another MRI in three weeks.

He said he still plans to be ready to pitch sometime this year.

"That's my only focus," he said. "This waiting stuff is getting real old."

Simulated Soriano soon: Reliever Rafael Soriano, who is recovering from Tommy John elbow-ligament replacement surgery, said he will throw a bullpen session Wednesday, and will progress to a simulated game against hitters Friday or Saturday.

According to Hargrove, if that goes well the team will consider sending the right-hander out for a rehab assignment. There is no timetable for a possible return to the Mariners, but Soriano said he's shooting to return after the All-Star break.

"I feel good," said Soriano, who claims his velocity is up to 90 to 94 mph, and that he's also throwing sliders and changeups. "I just want to come back and help the team as soon as I can."

Soriano was a starter in the Dominican winter league after the 2003 season, and blew out his elbow shortly after he came back to the United States in the spring of 2004. He said he didn't think his injury was related to overuse and that the Mariners didn't tell him to cool it with winter ball either.

He said he wasn't sure if he planned to play winter ball again at the end of this season.

"I don't know if I can," Soriano said. "I have to see what will be better for me."

Also on the shelf: Hargrove said utility man Scott Spiezio had a bone scan and an MRI on the sore back, an injury sustained while rehabing an oblique strain, and that everything checked out OK. He said the injury is considered "relatively minor" and that the team was looking to "get it quieted down" so Spiezio can resume his rehab with Triple-A Tacoma soon.

Catcher Wiki Gonzalez (hamstring) was set to catch bullpen sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, and will likely be sent out on a rehab assignment Thursday, Hargrove said.

On deck: The Mariners and Phillies will tangle in the second game of this three-game Interleague set Wednesday night at Safeco Field, with Seattle's hottest starter, Aaron Sele (5-5, 3.99 ERA), taking on Phillies right-hander Vicente Padilla (3-5, 6.43) in the 7:05 p.m. PT start.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/