Mariners expect Suzuki back tonight

SEATTLE (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki’s maddening wait is almost over.

The Seattle Mariners again held out the All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder, plus active home run leader Ken Griffey Jr. and Gold Glove third baseman Adrian Beltre, for their series opener against the first-place Los Angeles Angels on Monday night.

Mariners rookie manager Don Wakamatsu said before the game that he expects Suzuki and Beltre back in the lineup tonight.

Suzuki was out for the eighth consecutive game because of tightness in his calf. He’s been taking batting practice, shagging flies and running the bases with increasing intensity before games — only to then stand alone by the dugout railing looking antsy to play.

Wakamatsu acknowledged Suzuki especially wanted in Monday, the first of three games against a team that entered Monday 10 games ahead of Seattle in an AL West race that is pretty much a rout. Second-place Texas was five games back of Los Angeles.