Ichiro Suzuki’s head apparently is still spinning after the WBC and he’s not with the Mariners today. No, really. He came out of Monday’s game because of dizziness and was still feeling puny today, so manager Don Wakamatsu is giving him the day off. Might get Wednesday off, too. More on Ichiro below.
Today’s lineup could be another hint that Rob Johnson will win the backup catcher job. He’s behind the plate, catching starting pitcher Chris Jakubauskas. Here’s the Mariners’ lineup:
Endy Chavez, left field
Ronny Cedeno, shortstop
Russell Branyan, first base
Adrian Beltre, third base
Mike Sweeney, DH
Wladimir Balentien, right field
Rob Johnson, catcher
Franklin Gutierrez, center field
Chris Woodward, second base
Chris Jakubauskas, pitcher
The heartthrob of Cleveland and the guy who’s made the girls of Goodyear melt this month is leading off for the Indians. Of course, we’re talking of none other than Cascade High School graduate Grady Sizemore, who’ll be the Indians’ DH.
The Indians’ lineup also has a Mariners feel, with Shin Soo Choo in left field and Asdrubal Cabrera at second base.
Now, about Ichiro.
Looks to me like this is another impact of the World Baseball Classic. No team has gone through as much training, travel, tournament games and, above all, pressure to win as the Japanese.
Now, M’s catcher Kenji Johjima seems to be holding up well, and don’t forget that he made a special trip to Peoria to work out for manager Don Wakamatsu before going back to Japan. If anybody deserves time to decompress, you’d think it would be a catcher.
However, I doubt any player has felt the mental strain of the WBC more than Ichiro. He’s the face of Japanese baseball and all it takes to realize that is to watch the Japanese fans here at spring training who literally lose their breath at the sight of him walking by.
If the guy needs a day or two to settle his spinning head, let him have it. Come Monday when the Mariners open the season at Minnesota, they need Ichiro at full strength.
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