SAN DIEGO — The lack of a designated hitter will remove a fair amount of power from the Mariners’ lineup for the two-game series vs. the Padres.
Even when they were playing with American League rules, manager Scott Servais had to get creative to find ways to get at-bats for Edwin Encarnacion, Jay Bruce and Daniel Vogelbach. Most nights there were two spots — first base and DH — for the three players. Now there is one spot — first base.
Encarnacion got the start at first base Tuesday night. Bruce, who felt his left quadriceps tighten up late in Saturday’s win over the Angels, still has some lingering tightness so they won’t use him in the outfield to get him in the lineup.