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Mariners’ Game Notes: Seth Smith Out with Groin Tightness

By Brian Helberg

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Here at SoDo Mojo we pride ourselves on providing fans with the most pertinent Mariners’ news and analysis on the web. The Moose-ical notes are the best place to find out all the information you need to know prior to first pitch.

The Seattle Mariners (1-1) will take on the Los Angeles Angels (1-1) in the rubber match of their 3-game series on a beautiful Wednesday night in Seattle. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 pm tonight at the corner of Edgar & Dave. Hisashi Iwakuma (15-9, 3.52 ERA in 2014) will be tasked with winning the M’s opening series. Matt Shoemaker (16-4, 3.04 ERA in 2014) will toe the rubber for the Halos in the series finale. Tonight’s game can been seen live locally on Root Sports Northwest, and MLB.tv subscribers can watch on connected devices.

The big news coming out of Safeco Field this evening is that fact that Seth Smith is not in the Mariners’ lineup for the second straight night.

Smith was absent last night because the Los Angeles Angels started southpaw C.J. Wilson, but it has since been revealed that Smith is dealing with tightness in his groin. The tightness reportedly started on Tuesday morning, but he is considered day to day at this point.

It is understandable Smith’s groin would be tight following all the running he did on Opening Day. The 32-year-old right fielder went 3 for 3 with a pair of doubles, a triple, and 2 RBI’s in the M’s victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Obviously, it would be nice to have Smith’s bat in the lineup tonight, but with Wednesday’s game being just the 3rd of the season, the Mariners have to think long term.

Smith came over to the Mariners this winter from the San Diego Padres in exchange for flame-throwing right-hander Brandon Maurer. Smith was excellent for the Padres last summer, hitting .266 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI’s across 443 at bats. His .347 career on base percentage should really help a Mariners’ team that struggled to get on base a season ago. Smith is currently penciled in to hit 2nd for the M’s and play right field when Seattle is opposed by a right-handed starting pitcher.

With Smith sidelined, Nelson Cruz will roam right field this evening. Rickie Weeks will sub in at designated hitter for the second consecutive game. Left fielder Dustin Ackley has been bumped up to the number 2 spot in the Mariners’ lineup to fill the void left by Smith.

Skippers, Lloyd McClendon and Mike Scioscia have released the following lineups for the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels:

Other News and Notes:

Commissioner Rob Manfred Visits the M’s

Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred made his first visit to Safeco Field since taking the reigns of the powerful position in baseball this past January.

More from Mariners News

Bud Selig stepped down as Commissioner of Major League Baseball this winter after serving in the role for nearly two decades. Rob Manfred is entering his first season as boss of baseball, and he has already made an imprint on the game we love. Much was made this offseason about the new pace of play rules he instituted. The changes seem to be working, as the games have been noticeably quicker so far in 2015.

Manfred has been making the rounds this spring talking to each club, introducing himself and discussing the new rules his staff have implemented. According to Gregg Johns of MLB.com, Mariners’ players have been the most inquisitive of any team in baseball with Commissioner Manfred.

Check back with SoDo Mojo following tonight’s game for a full recap of the Mariners’ victory over the Angels (fingers crossed!)

Next: Mariners News: Happy 29th Birthday Felix Hernandez!

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