M's new outfield gets clarity

As soon as batting practice ended at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the five players who comprise the new Seattle outfield gathered in manager Jim Riggleman's office.

In attendance with Riggleman were right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, left fielder Raul Ibanez, co-center fielders Willie Bloomquist and Jeremy Reed and newly recalled Wladimir Balentien.

The strategy was simple enough – Riggleman would spell out what everyone's role is so there would be no miscommunication. But as is often the case, it wasn't as easy as that. Balentien just arrived a few hours earlier after having been promoted from Triple-A Tacoma, and Riggleman is going to work him into the lineup on the fly. Tuesday, Balentien was the DH, but he can play any of the three outfield spots – and will.

Ichiro and Ibanez will be the least impacted by the move. Ichiro will get a day, maybe two, as the DH in coming weeks and Ibanez could get three or four DH calls. Balentien would play in left for right in those circumstances.

Other that that, Balentien, who has 18 homers for Tacoma but a .196 average for Seattle in a six-week look ending in mid-June, will either DH or work his way into the center field rotation with Reed and Bloomquist.

As Reed bats left-handed and Bloomquist and Balentien hit from the right side, Bloomquist stands to lose more playing time to Balentien than does Reed.

"I'll be trying to get DH at-bats for everybody," Riggleman said. "Balentien is probably best as a right fielder, followed by center. He has the least experience in left.

"Raul and Ichiro are on pace for a lot of at-bats this year, so we'll try and get them off days by letting them DH a little."

WHITHER BATISTA? The Mariners have yet to make a decision on whether Miguel Batista will continue in the starting rotation.

It's going to be a close call and a quick one, because Batista will have to be told Wednesday that he's staying or not so he can prepare as a starter or a reliever.

The result could see Batista, a 16-game winner a year ago, moved into the bullpen. He's 4-11 this year with a 6.80 ERA in 28 games, 19 starts. He's lasted six innings or more in a start just five times, including Monday, when he was knocked out of the game after recording just nine outs.

"I hate to see him keep going back and forth between the rotation and the bullpen," Riggleman said. "But the thing that is mystifying to me is the number of walks."

Batista has walked 63 in 94 innings after walking just 85 in 193 innings last season. That's an increase of more than two batters per nine innings pitched

Riggleman was particular puzzled by two four-pitch walks Monday to Twins second baseman Nick Punto. The two best hitters in the Minnesota lineup are Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, and Punto hits just before the two of them in the lineup. He scored after both walks Monday.

"The thing that mystifies me are the walks to Punto, both times on four pitches," Riggleman said. "When Miguel Batista is right, he doesn't do that. He's not going to throw two four-pitch walks right in front of their two big studs ... It's not just a pitch or two he's missing on. He hasn't been able to regroup and get back in the zone."

That may mean that Ryan Rowland-Smith, who has run off three consecutive strong starts for Tacoma after going there to be converted from relief to a starter, could get the call Saturday when Batista's spot in the rotation is due to come up again.

NOTES: Ibanez's three-run homer in the third inning was his 63rd at Safeco Field, moving him past Bret Boone for the most in the ballpark's history. ... Right-hander Jared Wells, called up from Tacoma, said "there's no way I was expecting this." He was up for a day on July 10 when the Mariners needed bullpen insurance, but was send back down the next day. Wells was acquired from San Diego on May 28 in exchange for pitcher Cha Seung Baek. ... Including starter R.A. Dickey, five of the 10 men who started Tuesday for Seattle began the season in Tacoma. ... Left-hander Erik Bedard continued along in the early stages of the injury rehab program to strengthen his left shoulder by making 40 throws before the game. He'll throw again Thursday.