The back-and-forth career of Seattle right-hander Brandon Morrow – he’s a starter, no a reliever, no a starter, et al – is about to take another turn.
Morrow, the 24-year-old first-round draft pick in 2005, is headed back to the rotation within the next week, although it will be with the Tacoma Rainiers, not the Mariners.
About a month ago, after Morrow had lost his closing job, he approached manager Don Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair and told them he’d changed his mind about being a reliever. He wanted to be a starting pitcher.
What the Mariners want is a way to use Morrow and his 97 mph velocity, in a capacity that works for him and the team. This spring, when Morrow fell behind because of a tender elbow, he volunteered in the final week of camp to close.
Now that David Aardsma has seized that role, Morrow has used the last month to work on mechanics, especially driving his front foot toward the plate, not first base. After an adjustment period, Morrow seems to have taken to the change.
Because Morrow doesn’t have a specific role in the Seattle bullpen, the team appears willing to send him to Class AAA and give him time – plenty of it – to return to the role he had in college.
What does he need to do in Tacoma? Stay healthy, build his arm strength and pitch effectively.
Right or wrong, the team is concerned with his diabetes and isn’t certain Morrow can stand up to the rigors of, say, 175 innings a season. Morrow doesn’t doubt he can start regularly and wants the chance to prove it.
Within the week, it seems, he’s going to get that chance.
Look for the team to bring up Roy Corcoran and assign Morrow to Tacoma, then feel free to watch Morrow start for the Rainiers over the several weeks, at least.
Betancourt sits again
Yuniesky Betancourt was on the bench for the fourth consecutive game – the longest benching of his career – and doesn’t appear to understand why.
The Mariners insist it’s simple: Ronny Cedeño has worked hard daily despite not playing often. Betancourt has not worked hard with any regularity. Wakamatsu and his coaches thought that wasn’t the message they wanted sent to this team or the Seattle minor league system.
“I’ve been doing the same routine for years,” Betancourt said. “I can’t control the lineup. I’m doing whatever I’ve done in the past.”
Which may be the problem. When the Mariners held early batting practice Monday, for instance, 12 position players showed up. Betancourt did not. And, in the first three days of his benching, Betancourt did not take a single ground ball. During batting practice, he stayed in the outfield.
What does he have to do to start again?
“He has to show he’s prepared to play,” Wakamatsu said.
One thing to keep in mind: The Mariners still have minor league options with their shortstop. He can be sent to the minors.
Rowland-Smith watch
When Ryan Rowland-Smith starts on Thursday, it will be for Tacoma – and lefty Garrett Olson will start the Mariners’ game in Baltimore. Once Rowland-Smith pitches well in a start, he’ll likely rejoin the Seattle rotation.
Well lets hope it works out this time.
