After two rough starts to his major-league career, Mariners manager Eric Wedge deflected questions Tuesday night about rookie hurler Brandon Maurer making his next start Sunday against the Rangers. Wedge instead talked about Maurer's health after the rookie was struck by a line drive in his thigh in the first inning Tuesday, according to The Seattle Times.
"We have to make sure he’s OK first. He got hit pretty good there on that hip. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow," Wedge said. "That’s the first thing I’m concerned about. I want to make sure he’s OK after sleeping on it and coming in tomorrow. You love his arm, you love his stuff. He had a great spring. He deserves to be here."
Maurer has struggled with his pitch location after winning a spot in the rotation this spring. He is 0-2 with a 16.20 ERA and 2.40 WHIP. Maurer said he is "feeling all right" after getting struck by the baseball Tuesday.
"I was struggling a little bit, not making pitches when I need to make pitches, and they came out swinging,’’ he said.
The Times suggests if the Mariners make a change in the rotation, then the top options would be Danny Hultzen or Jeremy Bonderman since Erasmo Ramirez is on the 7-day disabled list in the minors.