Mallex, Haniger pushing to be ready for Tokyo

PEORIA, Ariz. -- New Mariners center fielder Mallex Smith has been cleared by the doctor to begin throwing and hitting for the first time this spring as he recovers from a strained right elbow, but the speedster appears a long shot to be ready for the club’s two Opening Series games against the A’s in Tokyo in two weeks.

Meanwhile, right fielder Mitch Haniger was held out of Cactus League action again on Tuesday after hurting his lower back lifting weights on Sunday, though that situation isn’t considered serious and the 2018 All-Star expects to be back by Thursday at the latest.

Smith has started playing catch at about 60 feet and was cleared to begin swinging a bat in the cage as well, but manager Scott Servais indicated that he’ll need time to work his way back before being thrown into games, possibly next week.

With the Mariners flying to Japan on March 14 and then playing two exhibition games in Tokyo prior to their Opening Day on March 20, time is running out. Smith could have a better shot at being ready for the home opener in Seattle on March 28, though the Mariners haven't officially ruled out Tokyo yet.

Smith, who was acquired from the Rays in the Mike Zunino trade, said his arm felt “normal” when he played catch, and now he’ll just build up his strength as quickly as the training staff allows.

“I’m hoping to go to Japan,” he said. “I can’t call it, I just hope I go. I’d definitely like to go to Tokyo and get that experience under my belt.”

Servais said getting Smith at-bats and regaining his timing at the plate are bigger concerns than the elbow now that he’s been cleared.

“He’s going to need 6-7 days just working up to getting close to games,” Servais said. “Remember, he hasn’t touched a bat since he’s been here. So it takes a little time.”

If Smith is placed on the 10-day injured list prior to the Tokyo games, he’d then miss the first eight days of the regular season as well, since the time off between those games doesn’t count as part of the 10 days. But it’s possible the club could make him part of the 28-man roster allowed for the international games and either use him in a limited fashion or just keep him as part of the extra three-man taxi squad.

“Those are decisions the front office, [general manager] Jerry [Dipoto] and the guys, will make,” Servais said. “A lot will depend how fast he’s coming along and is there a situation he can help us in those games, whether it’s pinch-running or something like that. We’ll have a better feel for that when we get to the end of this week and see how he’s progressing.”

Haniger will likely start in center field in the Tokyo games, allowing Jay Bruce, Domingo Santana and Ichiro Suzuki to handle the corner spots. But Haniger needs to make sure he’s healthy himself, which is why he’s being cautious with his stiff back.

“I was [dead lifting], the same thing I’ve been doing probably the last eight years,” Haniger said. “I just kind of lost my form a little bit and tweaked my back. I’d say another day or two and I’ll be ready to go.”

Haniger has been able to continue hitting and working out, but said he’s not ready to do headfirst slides or anything that might put extra strain on the back quite yet.

In other injury news:

• Veteran reliever Anthony Swarzak, who was held back at the start of the camp as he returns from shoulder issues that bothered him last season with the Mets, threw well in his first bullpen session last weekend and will throw another bullpen before moving up to live batting practice.

• Reliever Sam Tuivailala isn’t expected back until several months into the regular season as he works back from Achilles tendon surgery, but Servais said he’s ahead of schedule and has been told he could start throwing bullpen sessions before the end of March.

• First baseman Evan White won’t likely play any Cactus League games until next week as he deals with a tender hamstring. Servais said there’s no reason to push White at this point, since the young prospect isn’t going to make the Major League club and he doesn’t want to jeopardize the start of White's Minor League season, where he’s expected to open at Double-A Arkansas.