Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Mariners Raul Ibanez Claims Injuries Behind Him

If outfielder Raul Ibanez's bad back and hamstring troubles are behind him -- as he claims -- then why do the Mariners continue to give him rest by playing him at designated hitter?

An uncharacteristic .270 batting average and mere half dozen homers in more than 350 at-bats suggest the 34-year-old veteran is considerably less than his usual self.