Mallex Smith has struggled both at the plate and in the field since the beginning of the season. He had a rough time going since he missed most of spring training. Also, it looks like his helmet always off too. The coaches have been working with him but time showed they needed to send him to triple-A. The Rainiers are in Salt Lake City so he had trouble getting there because of Sea-Tac but should be available for tomorrows game.
Braden Bishop is in the lineup batting eighth ahead of Dee Gordon. He will be the primary center fielder though I am sure we will see Mitch Haniger there when not in right field.
The future centerfielder we are not sure of right now. Smith could be there when he corrects things or Bishop if he is able to hit major league baseball.
Both players could eventually be in the lineup as well. Bishop is a right-handed hitter while Smith hits left-handed. Jay Bruce is the fourth outfielder well as playing some first base along with dh. It is crowded right now with Bruce, Edwin Encarnacion, and Daniel Vogelbach sharing dh and first base. It will be interesting when Kyle Seager returns in about a month to six weeks to go back at third base. The Mariners will have to decide whether Ryon Healy will have to go to triple-A or they will have to trade either Bruce Encarnacion. Healy could be traded as well. Right now Vogelbach seems to be in the Mariners present as well as future.
The answer coming up will depend whether the Mariners are winning or losing. The month of May will answer a lot of questions. We thought the same last year when the Mariners did so well in June then fell apart the rest of the season.
This year the Mariners have a lot of different players so we can't say whether they will do well or not. They continue winning means they are coming together sooner than expected which would be nice.
Tuesday and Wednesday take on the Chicago Cubs followed by the Cleveland Indians on Friday thru Sunday before going back on the road where they seem to be playing better. Go M's.
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