SEATTLE — It was another day, another throwing session and another step closer to health for Felix Hernandez.
The talented Seattle Mariners right-hander had his longest and perhaps best throwing session since injuring his left ankle on June 23 against the New York Mets.
“Felix is much better,” manager Jim Riggleman said before Thursday’s game. “He threw for about 10 minutes from about 90 feet and he didn’t experience any problems. That’s very encouraging.”
Hernandez, who hasn’t spoken with the media since injuring the ankle, was walking with a normal gait around the clubhouse and on the field for pregame stretching.
It appears as though Hernandez could start the moment he comes off the 15-day disabled list on July 9.
“It makes us feel better about that,” Riggleman said. “He’ll be able to pitch right then. And that’s before the All-Star break.”
But the recent throwing session alone wasn’t what was encouraging; it was that Hernandez completed back-to-back throwing sessions without pain.
“Two times in a row he’s extended it and not had any problems,” Riggleman said. “Between now and when he comes off the disabled list, he’ll probably throw four more times, maybe once or twice off the mound.
But a lot can happen before July 9. Riggleman is optimistic, but not certain.
“We’re not just going to put him out there before it’s time,” he said. “I’m sure he feels looking back that he didn’t need to go on the disabled list. But I think we’re being pretty conservative as it is.”
It’s too conservative for Fernandez, who hates to miss a chance to play.
“He wants to pitch,” Riggleman said.
One reason for caution is that Hernandez has been known to twist his left ankle when he plants his lead foot while throwing a pitch. A hole tends to develop on the mound during a game where pitchers land.
And sometimes Hernandez misses the hole and tweaks his ankle.
Trainer Rick Griffin has long taped Hernandez’s ankle before starts.
“That’s always going to be there,” Riggleman said of the issues with the plant hole. “Any time he pitches he could hurt his ankle.
Batista’s back is back
Miguel Batista’s return to the pitching staff wasn’t quite as closely followed as Hernandez’s, but Batista has been in the bullpen and available to pitch since Wednesday.
“He’s ready to go,” Riggleman said. “Our doctors and trainers say he’s healthy.”
And with Ryan Rowland-Smith scheduled to start on Sunday, it looks like Batista will remain in the bullpen until at least the all-star break and possibly longer.
Riggleman isn’t holding Batista too any pitch limits.
“We’re not looking at it with any reservations right now,” he said. “If he hurts himself, it’s basically a new injury.”
Clement gets backing
Like most rookies finding their way, Jeff Clement is going through peaks and valleys. One game he’ll look like the hitter everyone involved with the Mariners and the fans hope he’ll be. And the next game he’s striking out three times. But Riggleman isn’t too concerned.
“We’re giving him every opportunity to get it going,” he said. “It seems like they’re making great pitches on him. I’ve heard Clement come in a couple times after a ballgame saying he didn’t see one good pitch to hit all night. They kept making pitchers’ pitches on him. Sooner or later, they’re going to start making mistakes and he’ll have to take advantage of it.”