By GREGG BELL AP Sports Writer
SEATTLE — Ichiro says he’s playing on Wednesday.
The Mariners’ All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder said today, upon rejoining his team following a bleeding ulcer, that he will be in Seattle’s lineup for its second home game of the season, against the Los Angeles Angels.
He said he felt so good it was “annoying” him.
The 35-year-old has missed Seattle’s first seven games while on the disabled list for the first time in his career. The Mariners have gone a surprising 5-2 on the road without him.
Suzuki said he still has to get a final blood test. And Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said the team still wanted to see how Suzuki looked in batting practice today. But Wakamatsu added that “everything looks like it’s going that way” for Suzuki’s return Wednesday.
Wakamatsu said Suzuki will be in right field and leading off when he returns, as usual.
“It’s nice to have the whole team back,” Wakamatsu said before Suzuki was the first Mariner to step into the batting cage this afternoon.
