d.dddddddddddd "Its just something that we didnt want to push it, didnt want it to become a big problem." Mozeliak bristled at the mention of recon

SEATTLE -- After the Seattle Mariners posted the biggest comeback in franchise history to win in San Diego 16-13 on June 2, they headed off to a series in Texas tied for the lead in the AL West.There was a buzz and optimism about the club. They were playing better than expected, were more entertaining than expected and were giving credence to the idea that maybe the longest playoff drought in baseball could come to an end after 15 years.Then the rest of June happened. And by the time the All-Star break arrived, the Mariners were 45-44, facing a nearly double-digit deficit in the division race as part of a season defined thus far by inconsistency.When Seattles pitching was strong, the offense lagged. When the offense picked up, the pitching often faltered. The Mariners were powerful away from home early in the season, but lost 16 of 20 road games heading into the break. They swept the first place Orioles at home, but were also swept at home by the last place Angels and last place Twins.Thats not to say there werent bright spots. Robinson Cano returned to All-Star form. Nelson Cruz has 23 home runs at the break. Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee has been a pleasant surprise.There are a number of reasons why Seattle has gone from legitimate contender in the AL West to now trying to get back into the playoff discussion. At the root of Seattles struggles in June was the fragility of the roster created in the offseason.While the makeover that general manager Jerry Dipoto undertook with the Mariners after taking over at the end of the 2015 season created a more competitive, more versatile roster, there is still a lack of depth that was highlighted by key injuries to center fielder Leonys Martin, shortstop Ketel Marte and ace Felix Hernandez.Between May 22 and June 9, the Mariners defense was ailing with Marte and Martin sidelined. Seattle went 8-10 during that stretch and it was the beginning of the downward trend that saw the Mariners finish June at 10-18.Hernandez, meanwhile, has been out since June 1 with a calf injury. Combined with other injuries, that left Seattle putting together a makeshift rotation for most of the last six weeks.Not all lost is for Seattle. They are only five games back in the AL wild card race and after an eight-game road trip in late July the schedule becomes far more favorable.Here are a few other things to watch for as Seattle enters the second half trying to climb back into contention:FIND AN OUTFIELDER: The Mariners expected Nori Aoki to be their leadoff hitter and left fielder the majority of the season. But Aokis struggles at the plate could not justify keeping him in the lineup. Thats left Seattles outfield rotation thin and in need of an experienced option in left field. That is likely the top priority for Dipoto prior to the trade deadline.LAY OFF THE BULLPEN: Seattles bullpen was taxed in the first half of the season, especially in June when the starting rotation struggled to pitch beyond five innings. The Mariners relievers made a combined 248 appearances prior to the All-Star break and threw more innings than manager Scott Servais wanted. The overuse began to show in June during Seattles swoon after the bullpen had been an area of strength the first two months.GET THE ROTATION HEALTHY: Hernandez wasnt the only starter to find his way to the disabled list in the first half. Left-hander Wade Miley and young righty Taijuan Walker also landed there for short stints. Nathan Karns started in the rotation before getting demoted to the bullpen because of his struggles. Hernandez and Walker are expected to return shortly after the All-Star break and both need to rediscover the top form they showed in spurts earlier in the season. Robert Jones Jersey Retro .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Les Dodson Jersey Retro . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/bill-kirchiro-jersey-retro/ .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Bud Cooper Jersey Retro . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Matt Szymanski Jersey Retro . A big centre with all the tools to be an elite player, Johansen paced the Blue Jackets with a standout game Saturday night. He had a goal and two assists for a career-high three points as Columbus beat the New York Islanders 5-2 to snap a five-game losing streak. ST. LOUIS -- Jake Westbrook has been trying to ignore elbow pain since spring training. The St. Louis pitcher and the team finally decided it was time for a break. "Ive pitched through a lot of stuff through my career," Westbrook said Sunday. "It just kind of got a little more inflamed than I would have liked my last start." The Cardinals will place the right-hander on the 15-day disabled list with elbow inflammation and plan to select the contract of left-hander John Gast in time for Tuesday nights game against the New York Mets. "Im 35, so I probably have more problems," Westbrook said. "I dont think its anything to be super-alarmed about." General manager John Mozeliak said Westbrook likely would miss two starts after complaining about the elbow in his last outing, but emphasized it was a minor injury. He said after the 35-year-old pitcher got a cortisone injection on Friday that hed certainly not be able to make his next start. "Its really not that big of a deal," Moozeliak said.dddddddddddd "Its just something that we didnt want to push it, didnt want it to become a big problem." Mozeliak bristled at the mention of reconstructive elbow surgery for Westbrook, who missed the post-season last year with an oblique injury. "Dont put words in peoples mouths," Mozeliak said. "Hes fine, all right? We knew he couldnt start Tuesday." Westbrooks last outing was his shortest of the season. He allowed three earned runs on nine hits in 5 1-3 innings and got no decision in a 5-4 win. To make room for Gast on the major league roster, the team said injured closer Jason Motte will be moved to the 60-day disabled list while rehabilitating from reconstructive elbow surgery. Westbrook is 2-1 with a 1.62 ERA in seven starts. His DL move is retroactive to May 9. The 24-year-old Gast was the teams minor league player of the month in April, going 3-1 with a 1.16 ERA in six starts at Triple-A Memphis. He began the season with 32 consecutive scoreless innings. ' ' '