Corey Hart held out with sore forearm, stiff back
By Hayden Kane
The Seattle Mariners signed Corey Hart this off-season to add some punch to a lineup that now also includes Robinson Cano. There is no question about Hart’s production when he plays; it is all about his health.
With that in mind, it is somewhat confusing that the Mariners plan to use Hart in the outfield after knee problems cost him the entire 2013 season. Now Hart is dealing with a couple unrelated injuries, specifically a sore forearm and stiff lower back, and will be held out of the lineup for a couple days.
Manager Lloyd McClendon explained the decision (from the Seattle Times):
"I didn’t want to risk it…We talked about it earlier in the spring, we have got to be careful with his progress and that’s why I want to take it slow with. He’s been off for over a year. These things are to be expected. I had a little bit of experience last year in Detroit with Victor Martinez, so I know what he’s going through and I know the frustrations he’s going through. I’m going to to do my best to guide him through it and make it as smooth of transition as I possibly can leading into the soon.”"
With Kendrys Morales still available as a free agent, the Mariners aren’t blinking. They will stick with Hart and Logan Morrison and hope to get their compensatory draft pick when/if Morales signs elsewhere. Whether they can hold to that plan will depend largely on Hart’s health.