"The knee injury few people realized he had will keep Seattle Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard out longer than anyone expected.

After straining his left knee during his June 28 start, the veteran left-hander was initially scheduled to return to the rotation immediately after the All-Star break. That's no longer the plan.

Manager Eric Wedge said his veteran will miss at least one post All-Star start and that he was just beginning to play catch again.

"We'll get him throwing on flat ground a few more times, give him a couple of bullpens and he'll be ready," Wedge said. "Blake (Beavan) will get that next start in Erik's spot."

The injury to Bedard has not been diagnosed as serious, but the Mariners have been cautious, in part, because they don't want it to become so. While there's been speculation Bedard would be on the trading block as the July 31 deadline approached, the Mariners want him healthy to pitch."