MINNEAPOLIS -- Mariners right fielder Ichiro Suzuki was the leadoff hitter for both teams in a five-inning Rookie League intrasquad game on Thursday afternoon in Peoria, Ariz.
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"He went home looking and feeling great," said Ken Barron, Ichiro's interpreter, in an email. Ichiro did not play defense.
In addition to the game action, Ichiro's blood test yesterday showed encouraging results, and at this point it looks like he'll either re-join the team in Oakland over the weekend or for a workout at Safeco on Monday. He definitely seems set to return from the DL in the minimum amount of time. Which is terrific news, because Endy Chavez is a leadoff hitter like I'm a rock wall with ancient cavemen on it.
Unless I'm mistaken, we'll be able to put Chavez, Gutierrez, and Ichiro together in the outfield just in time for Washburn's next start. And he thought his day couldn't get any better.
0 recs | 19 comments
He also went 7-10 in the extended ST game...
PositivePaul - April 9, 2009
My goodness.
BrianL - April 9, 2009
"with two triples and a double"
sez Shannon
msb - April 9, 2009
Only Ichiro is awesome enough to play for both teams in the same game.
He probably caught his own linedrives.
Hero 3 - April 9, 2009
Imagine an entire lineup of Ichiros
.Taylor - April 9, 2009
It could win 163 games
Plus playoffs
Hero 3 - April 9, 2009
But...
Could Ichiro throw a pitch that even Ichiro couldn’t hit?
Kunkoh - April 10, 2009
Would they play against the defense of Beltres from the commercial?
Robert Lintott - April 9, 2009
Neat.
JI - April 9, 2009
I really thought this was going to kill him.
Robert - April 9, 2009
Can't wait until Ichiro comes back.
Meanwhile, time for more Adventures of Outfield Griffey.
Wonder if Griffey’s playing the latter two games out in the field for Felix and Bedard’s starts. And wow, are all Oakland’s scheduled starters for this series lefties?
ThundaPC - April 9, 2009
It seems like Don Wakamatsu has a good idea of how to get everyone playing time, how to manage a platoon and how to keep your former superstar happy
seattlebruin - April 9, 2009
*sniff*
He’s everything that Grover and Squinty weren’t.
BrianL - April 9, 2009
Everyone
Except Tui.
ralphie81 - April 10, 2009
So everyone.
Mariner John - April 10, 2009
I knew it
He wouldn’t possibly miss Opening Day…
section331 - April 10, 2009
Well.. He has to miss the home opener
He isn’t eligible to come off the DL until the second game of the opening homestand.
seattlesundevil - April 10, 2009
If you are on the DL, can you still do the silly run down the red carpet?
msb - April 10, 2009
Sure, why not?
ralphie81 - April 10, 2009
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