Chances of Erik Bedard getting traded slim

By GREGG BELL | The Associated Press • Published July 17, 2008

• Comments (0)

SEATTLE — The chances Erik Bedard will be traded soon by the Mariners are now as slim as the prospects for a happy finish to Seattle’s lost season.

Manager Jim Riggleman said Thursday his ailing ace, rumored to be coveted by contenders despite a demonstrated inability to last in his 15 starts, likely will not pitch early next week against Boston as originally hoped. That means Bedard would have just one start before the non-waiver trading deadline July 31 — assuming the left-hander’s pitching shoulder is healthy again by then.

Major league rules prohibit teams from trading players while they are on the disabled list, unless such a deal is expressly approved by the commissioner. Bedard, 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 81 innings, is eligible to come off the DL Sunday.

“We want to get him going, but we don’t want to rush him,” Riggleman said as his last-place team came back from its All-Star break for a workout prior to resuming play Friday night against Cleveland.

“The perception is that Erik hasn’t given us a lot, or as much as he should. But really, maybe he’s given us more than he should have.”

Riggleman listed the left hip inflammation that put Bedard on the DL from April 9-26, then assorted pains he pitched through before this shoulder injury that has kept him out since July 4. Bedard came to Seattle from Baltimore in February for five players, including now-Orioles All-Star reliever George Sherrill. His contract is under club control through 2009.

The Philadelphia Phillies, thought to be a potential suitor for Bedard, acquired right-hander Joe Blanton instead on Thursday for three minor leaguers.

Bedard’s flight back from Ottawa was delayed by weather, so the manager still didn’t know when Bedard would even be able to throw again.

“We should know more in two or three days,” Riggleman said.

For now, he has Miguel Batista starting Monday against the Red Sox and said “my guess” is that R.A. Dickey will start Tuesday. Felix Hernandez, left-hander Jarrod Washburn — now the starter most likely to be dealt — and Carlos Silva are starting over the weekend against the Indians.