News
Lopez joins Mariners' bereavement list
Infielder leaves to tend ailing sister; Woodward recalled
By Jim Street / MLB.com
06/18/09 4:46 PM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Real life infiltrated the Mariners again on Thursday when second baseman Jose Lopez went to Venezuela to be with his ailing sister. |
Lopez was placed on the Major League bereavement list, and infielder Chris Woodward was selected from Triple-A Tacoma. To open a spot on the 40-man roster for Woodward, starting pitcher Carlos Silva was transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL.
It's the third time in the past week that off-the-field family situations have disrupted the team. Catcher Rob Johnson was placed on the bereavement list last Saturday after his mother-in-law was killed in a traffic accident near Houston, and first baseman Russell Branyan returned to Georgia on Thursday for the funeral of his grandfather. Branyan is expected to return to Seattle in time to play in Friday night's series opener against the Diamondbacks at Safeco Field. "I have never been around anything like this, when three things happen in a week," manager Don Wakamatsu said on Thursday morning. "I think it's a reminder that this is still a game. I think sometimes we get into our own little cocoon, and a dose of reality brings us back to what's important and that's family." Lopez's sister apparently has been ill for quite some time and has taken a turn for the worse. "I don't foresee him being back for at least five days," Wakamatsu said. This is the second time in the past three seasons that Lopez has dealt with a family health matter. His brother was killed in a motorcycle accident during the 2007 season. The Mariners second baseman was unable to make travel plans quickly enough to return to Venezuela in time for the funeral, and it affected his play for the remainder of the season. "There has been a lot of support from a lot of players," Wakamatsu said. Johnson, for example, received numerous hugs when he walked into the visitors' clubhouse on Thursday morning. He remained on the bereavement list and will be activated prior to Friday night's game. "With everything that has gone on, and getting back an hour before game time, he's not ready to play," Wakamatsu said. Woodward figures to fill the utility infield role with Ronny Cedeno getting most of the duty at second during Lopez's absence. "Obviously, I'm happy to be here," Woodward said. "I don't know how long I'll be here, [but] however long it is, it is -- I'll take it day by day. If I play, I'll do everything I can to help this team win a game." Woodward was batting .299 with one home run and 15 RBIs for the Rainiers. Meanwhile, catcher Kenji Johjima had a bullpen session on Thursday morning, felt a little discomfort in the left big toe that was broken, forcing a the original game plan to be altered. Instead of beginning a brief rehab stint with Tacoma on Friday night, he will be examined by team medical director Dr. Ed Khalfayan and work out with the Mariners. If the exam goes well, Johjima would make the short trek to Tacoma on Saturday, play five innings of the Rainiers' game against Reno and have his situation reevaluated. Wakamatsu said that he still wants to make sure that the veteran catcher can hold up for nine innings before being activated. "We'll know more after that game he catches on Saturday," the manager said. Starting pitcher Erik Bedard, who is on the DL with shoulder inflammation, met with Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles late Thursday morning and was scheduled to have an MRI in the afternoon. A club official said that the results of the exam would be announced on Friday, at which time Bedard's status would be addressed. He is eligible to come off the DL on Tuesday.Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
