Guti says he’s fine, plus Felix update

Center fielder Franklin Gutierrez isn’t in the lineup for either of Friday’s games and he hasn’t played in five days, since March 9 against the Dodgers.

What gives?

“I just had a little tightness in my legs,” Gutierrez said this morning. “But I’m fine. Nothing to worry about.”

Gutierrez continues to hit and work out every day, so it certainly does appear this isn’t a big deal. Of course, given his history of injuries, any issue becomes a concern. It appears the Mariners are just being extra cautious right now with two weeks still before the start of the regular season.

Also, Felix Hernandez isn’t going to pitch  against the Rangers in Cactus League play on Sunday, which is his next scheduled day to stay on rotation toward Opening Day. Instead, he’ll pitch four innings in a Minor League contest that day rather that face the AL West rival Rangers.

Blake Beavan will start against Texas on Sunday.

Hernandez will have two more spring starts after Sunday, with his scheduled days falling March 22 when the Mariners face the Padres and March 27 against the Dodgers. Both those games are in Peoria.