The Mariners have told third baseman Adrian Beltre that he cannot play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
The team doesn't believe that he has fully recovered from surgeries in September to repair a ligament in his left thumb and to remove bone spurs from his left, non-throwing shoulder.
"Yes, we took the decision [away]," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "We need this player, and we need this player badly, to be competitive this year.
"I feel bad about it. I know how badly he wanted to play. As I said all along, I would support him -- as long as he was healthy. ... If he's not right at 100 percent, then we as an organization couldn't afford to have a setback."
Via ESPN
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Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre is thinking about defying the team by participating in next month's World Baseball Classic.
Before making a decision, he wants to test his surgically-repaired shoulder in a few spring training games.
"I haven't played. It's different to use in games than [in practice]," said Beltre, who is on the Dominican Republic's final roster.
Seattle is worried about Beltre getting hurt, or furthering injuries to his shoulder and thumb.
"Since they told me they didn't want me to play I don't want to go over there and get hurt and hear, 'I told you so,"' Beltre said. "But I still probably have the same chance to get hurt here as I do there. It [would be] just a matter of bad luck. And I might play DH over there, so it might even be easier on my shoulder."
Via ESPN
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Some feel as though the Mariners might look to trade Ken Griffey Jr. at July's trade deadline if he's unable to fit into the team's plans.
Seattle could trade him to a contender this summer if things don't work out.
Via Chicago Tribune
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Mariners Feb 2009 Archive
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Seattle Times | Feb 22, 2009
The $2.5 million contract that Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Mariners has incentives tied into the team's attendance figures this season.
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ESPN | Feb 21, 2009
Mike Sweeney stands to lose playing time with Ken Griffey Jr. returning to the Mariners, but the potential designated hitter isn't worried.
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Christopher Reina/RealGM | Feb 19, 2009
The city of Seattle probably would rather have Kevin Durant back, but Ken Griffey Jr. is a nice consolation prize who can still hit right-handed pitching.
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MLB Network | Feb 18, 2009
Willie Mays called Ken Griffey Jr. and helped convince him to sign with the Mariners.
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MLB.com | Feb 18, 2009
Ken Griffey Jr. has decided to return to the Seattle Mariners.
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ESPN | Feb 18, 2009
Ken Griffey Jr. denied a report on Tuesday that he had decided to play for the Braves this season, but the team is still working to sign the outfielder.
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer | Feb 17, 2009
Ken Griffey Jr. has denied a report in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he has opted to play for the Braves.
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MLB.com | Feb 17, 2009
Veteran outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is expected to make a decision on Tuesday about whether he'll play for the Braves or Mariners this season.
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ESPN | Feb 17, 2009
Former Mariners closer J.J. Putz, who signed with the Mets this offseason, says that the Mariners struggled last season because of the selfishness of some players.
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Feb 16, 2009
Free agent Ken Griffey Jr. could decide this week whether he wants to play for the Braves or Mariners this season.
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ESPN | Feb 15, 2009
Ken Griffey Jr. has been rumored to covet a spot on the Braves, and third baseman Chipper Jones wants him in the team's lineup this season.
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Cincinnati Enquirer | Feb 14, 2009
Ken Griffey Jr. says that rumors of a return to the Mariners are just that, and that the seriousness of the rumors is news to him.
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MLB.com | Feb 13, 2009
The Mariners have reached an agreement on a contract with Josh Fields, their first-round selection in last June's First-Year Player Draft.
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MLB.com | Feb 12, 2009
Ken Griffey and the Mariners are nearing agreement on a one-year contract.
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ESPN | Feb 12, 2009
The Seattle Mariners have increased their pursuit of Ken Griffey, Jr.
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Christopher Reina/RealGM | Feb 10, 2009
Did Alex Rodriguez's first summer in Texas trigger his first use of steroids?
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Seattle Times | Feb 9, 2009
Tom Hicks, owner of the Rangers, said he felt betrayed by the Alex Rodriguez steroid report because of many talks he had with Rodriguez.
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MLB.com | Feb 8, 2009
The Mariners are looking for a veteran outfielder, and appear to have free-agent Garret Anderson on their radar.
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Seattle Times | Feb 6, 2009
A decision will have to be made soon, and the Mariners appear to be warming to the idea of bringing outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle.
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Yahoo! | Feb 4, 2009
The Mariners and Twins are reportedly discussing a trade that would send Delmon Young to Seattle in exchange for Jarrod Washburn and Jeff Clement.
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Seattle Times | Feb 4, 2009
With spring training less than two weeks away, the Mariners will have to make their final decision on free-agent Ken Griffey Jr.
