M's Davis continues recovery

JIM COUR, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Tuesday, March 26, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle catcher Ben Davis has a pulled oblique muscle in his right side, but the Mariners have no intention of putting him on the disabled list.

A switch-hitter, Davis can only hit from the right side of the plate. He has pain when he bats left-handed.

"It's a concern, but he's going to get some at-bats right-handed," manager Lou Piniella said Monday.

"He just can't hit left-handed."

Davis played in a minor league game on Monday.

"It's bothering me, but obviously I can play right-handed," he said.

"I can catch and throw, and everything else."

He's just not sure when he's going to be able to hit left-handed again.

"It's not something I'm going to rush right now," he said.

"The only thing that's going to cure it is rest. It's tough, but hopefully I'll be able to get through it."

Davis was acquired by the Mariners in a trade with San Diego on Dec. 11 to be Seattle's backup catcher behind Dan Wilson. The Mariners gave up Tom Lampkin, Brett Tomko and Ramon Vazquez in the six-player deal.

Davis said he was injured in a spring game March 13 against the Chicago White Sox.

"I just took one swing and I felt something pop," Davis said.

"It's just the way it is. I don't know what it happened. I make it a habit to go out and stretch every day."

In nine spring games, Davis is hitting .200 (4-for-20) with three doubles and six RBIs.

He said he pulled an oblique muscle on his left side in spring training while he was with the Padres during the 2000 season. He missed a month with that injury.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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