Mariners manager Scott Servais says “slower the better” when it comes to rehabilitating Mallex Smith’s right elbow strain.
Smith — who was acquired in November along with Jake Fraley, in a trade that sent Mike Zunino, Guillermo Heredia and Michael Plassmeyer to Tampa Bay — has been cleared to start throwing and taking batting practice, Servais said Tuesday.
But, Servais is hesitant to push his new center fielder to return too fast.
“It’s a long season,” Servais said. “You’re not going to rush him out there to play two games, or even to make sure he’s ready for the opening night when we get back to Seattle.