Justin Smoak is recovering from the quad injury that has kept him out of the last five games, but “at a snail’s pace” according to Lloyd McClendon, and as such, the Mariners first baseman was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, retroactive to June 10.
“He’s going to get better,” McClendon said. “He’s been out five days, probably going to be out another four or five days. That’s nine days without playing, and it just didn’t make any sense (keeping him on the 25-man roster).”
McClendon said the injury affects Smoak particularly when he hits right handed. The plan is for him to rehab with the team during this home stand, then go out on a rehab assignment next week.
With a spot free, the Mariners activated Logan Morrison from the disabled list, and Morrison is in the lineup hitting fifth on his first day back.
“Rehab stint was long, swing is not,” he said. “Swing feels good, at-bats feel better, all that stuff feels great. Ready to go and help the team win any way we can.
Morrison then added, “Any other clichés you need?”
Morrison said his swing started feeling good about five games into his rehab stint, and noted that he’s trying to slow the pace through his swing to avoid rolling over balls, something he said was an issue when he was hitting just .150 to start the season before injuring his hamstring.
Outfielder Michael Saunders is out of the lineup with a banged-up shoulder and is day-to-day according to McClendon.
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