Erik Bedard News: Pro Sports Daily

Exclusive! The Erik Bedard no one knows!

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March 14

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Forgive the tabloid headline, but if you don't have a little fun blogging, what's the point. And so few people know Erik Bedard ... The left-hander, who's recovering from shoulder surgery, has been working so hard - and this comes from Mariners team doctors and trainers - that he's progressing at a faster pace than expected. Does that mean he'll be back in the Seattle rotation sooner than mid-to-late May? Not necessarily, but it's viewed by the Mariners as good news indeed. Bedard will move from long toss to a light bullpen session on the mound on March 23. Initially, the team didn't expect him to get on a mound for any reason before April. "He's really worked hard, on and off the field, ..."

My treatment of Bedard has been unfair

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February 8

Seattle Times

columnist Steve Kelley

"Last week, a few readers — well actually a lot of readers suggested, demanded really — that certain sportswriters, namely me, owed Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard an apology. They're right. After all, we (and by we, I mean I) have spent a lot of the past two years lamenting the trade that sent a large chunk of the Mariners' future to Baltimore for a pitcher we (and, by we, I mean former general manager Bill Bavasi) expected to be the ace of the staff as the Mariners challenged for an American League West title. Of course, that never happened. Bedard rarely was healthy. He made only 30 starts in two seasons. He ran too many deep counts, which meant the bullpen usually had to get up by the ..."

It's official: Bedard back in Seattle

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February 7

Tacoma News Tribune

"Erik Bedard had an almost perfect day Saturday; signing a one-year contract with the Seattle Mariners that included a mutual option for 2011, playing long toss in an empty Safeco Field - and slipping through a Starbucks unrecognized. "I think that's Erik's personality," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He doesn't like a lot of attention. He'd just as soon go about his business with no one paying him any mind." Bedard didn't disagree. "Nobody recognized me at Starbucks here. No one ever does. It's great," Bedard said. After Bedard passed Friday's physical, general manager Jack Zduriencik wasted no time announcing the deal - having a release sent out about 8 a.m. Saturday. It was hardly a ..."

It's official: Mariners sign Bedard

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February 7

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The Mariners signed left-handed free agent pitcher Erik Bedard to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011, the team announced Saturday morning. Rumors of Bedard's return had been swirling since midweek, and Friday Bedard confirmed to French-language Canadian newspaper Le Droit that he was flying to Mariners spring training headquarters in Peoria, Ariz., to take a physical. The team has been supervising Bedard's recovery from shoulder surgery, so the physical seemed to be little more than a formality. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Bedard told Le Droit that it would be for $1.5 million in 2010 with incentives. "We think Erik is an important piece for us to add," ..."

Bedard signing official: One year, plus mutual option for 2011

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February 6

Seattle Times

"Good thing I didn't sleep in as late as I usually do on Saturday morning. The Mariners announced officially this morning (at 8:08 a.m.) that Erik Bedard has signed a one-year contract for 2010. There is a little added twist -- a mutual option on a 2011 contract. "We think Erik is an important piece for us to add," GM Jack Zduriencik said in the press release.. "We're confident he'll be ready to pitch major league games this season. We've carefully monitored his recovery from surgery and his rehabilitation process and are confident he'll be a contributor to our 2010 campaign. We are looking forward to him returning and being a part of this organization as we move forward.""

Report: Bedard to sign one-year, $1.5 million deal

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February 6

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Erik Bedard told the Ontario newspaper Le Droit that he accepted an incentive-laden deal for one year and $1.5 million with the Mariners. The deal is dependent on Bedard passing a physical. "I'm really happy. It was my first choice to return to Seattle," Bedard told the paper while on his way to Peoria."

Bedard confirms Mariner signing to Ontario newspaper

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February 6

Seattle Times

"Now the news is coming from the best source of all: Erik Bedard himself, who told Marc Brassard of Le Droit, a French-language newspaper in Ontario, that he has indeed agreed to terms with the Mariners. Lookout Landing astutely found the article and provided a rough translation. I got Kristin Jackson from the Seattle Times travel section to kindly provide her own translation of the key paragraphs: If he successfully passes a physical exam today in Arizona, Erik Bedard will be back with the Mariners of Seattle in 2010."

Bedard back? Could happen

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February 5

Tacoma News Tribune

"Erik Bedard, whose two-year run in Seattle was marked by season-ending surgeries – and some questions about his toughness – appears close to an agreement to pitch for the Mariners again in 2010. He couldn't be happier about the possibility. "I'd love to be back in Seattle," the left-hander said Thursday. Both MLB.com and Foxsports.com have reported the two sides are close to a one-year deal, and although the Mariners couldn't comment – general manager Jack Zduriencik and his entire front-office staff are in the Dominican Republic – it's clear Bedard has talked to the team. Rehabilitating a surgically repaired shoulder this winter at home in Ontario, Canada – where the temperature Thursday ..."

Mariners are close to a deal with free agent Erik Bedard

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February 5

Seattle Times

"The Mariners are moving toward re-signing free-agent pitcher Erik Bedard, who is trying to come back from shoulder surgery in August. Several news outlets reported Thursday that the sides are close to a one-year deal, pending a physical. MLB.com reported that a proposed deal would pay Bedard, who turns 31 on March 5, a base salary of $1.5 million, plus considerable incentives. Bedard earned $7.5 million in 2009, when he went 5-3 with a 2.82 earned-run average in 15 starts. Bedard's agent, Mark Pieper, didn't return phone and e-mail messages. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik is in the Dominican Republic this week. For the second year in a row, Bedard's Mariners season ended ..."

Bedard on Mariners: 'I'd love to be back!'

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February 4

Tacoma News Tribune

"Watching from the frozen tundra of Ontario, Canada - where it was 16 degrees below zero this morning - Erik Bedard has been throwing a baseball for three weeks - and monitoring the Seattle Mariners all winter. "They' ve done a phenomenal job this off-season," Bedard said. "Getting Cliff Lee? Man, with Felix (Hernandez) and Lee at the top of the rotation, how are you ever going to lose?" And would Bedard like to be right behind them in the Seattle rotation? "I'd love it - put me down as No. 3B, because Ryan (Rowland-Smith) could be No. 3, he's ready," Bedard said. "I'd love to be back in Seattle." The team has talked to Bedard about a return, but there's no offer in hand just yet. And other ..."

Bedard on the path of returning to Seattle

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February 4

MLB.com

"Now that the Mariners have avoided salary arbitration with first baseman Casey Kotchman, signing him to a one year, $3.5 million contract on Wednesday, the next order of business might be -- surprise, surprise -- re-signing left-hander Erik Bedard. Yep, there are rumblings going around that Bedard could soon re-up with the Mariners, who are still paying his medical bills. Bedard is expected to miss the first three or four months of the regular season but conceievably could come back in early June or July and provide significant pitching help. When healthy, he has been good. But he's been hurt more than healthy since being acquired from the Orioles in a trade that still makes me shake my ..."

Mariners offer arbitration to Adrian Beltre, but not to Erik Bedard

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December 2

Seattle Times

"This was a move many of us saw coming and the Mariners did indeed offer arbitration to third baseman Adrian Beltre today while declining to do the same with Erik Bedard and the rest of the team's "unranked" free agents in terms of Type A or B compensation. The reason boils down to risk. Players generally tend to earn at least their salaries from the previous year in arbitration, while often getting increases as well. And even significant missed time from injury does little to change that reality, especially if the players put together strong seasons when they were healthy. Beltre earned $12 million last season, while Bedard was at $8 million. Both are Type B free agents, which means that ..."

Bedard's shoulder worse than expected

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August 16

Tacoma News Tribune

"Erik Bedard went into surgery knowing only that something wasn't right in his left shoulder - and didn't learn how bad it was until he awakened with a complicated contraption strapped around his shoulder and left arm. "These are labrum braces," he said. "I knew it wasn't just a simple procedure." It wasn't. Dr. Lewis Yocum repaired a torn labrum and an inflamed bursa, sewed the Seattle Mariners left-hander back up and then told him he wouldn't be able to throw a baseball again until December - best-case scenario. "At least I know what it is," Bedard said. What he didn't do, on-camera, was ask the question he'd wanted to ask the media. "Do you believe me now?" he asked a little later. ..."

Erik Bedard still wants to return

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August 16

Seattle Times

"Erik Bedard was back in the Mariners' clubhouse Saturday, wearing a shoulder brace and sling after surgery Friday on his left shoulder. Angels team physician Dr. Lewis Yocum repaired a torn labrum. Bedard can't resume baseball activity for a minimum of four to six months. He will be a free agent after the season, and surgery has changed his status dramatically. He probably will be unable to pitch at the beginning of next season. Asked if he would like to return to the Mariners next season, he said, "Yeah, I would." Bedard said he hasn't talked with general manager Jack Zduriencik about returning. He said there is a sense of relief after the surgery. "Yeah, just to know what's wrong with ..."

Bedard to see specialist on Wednesday

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August 12

MLB.com

"The Mariners could learn sometime on Wednesday the short-term status of left-hander Erik Bedard. The oft-injured pitcher will have his shoulder examined by Angels physician Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles. "We're waiting to find out whether or not he needs surgery," manager Don Wakamatsu said on Tuesday, "and the second part of that is how long he would be out if he does have surgery." The MRI exam Bedard had last Friday disclosed some fraying in his labrum that wasn't detected during a similar exam taken several weeks ago. Yocum, one of the highest-regarded orthopedic surgeons around, is expected to make a recommendation regarding surgery and it would be up to Bedard to make the final ..."

Fans have given up on Bedard, but M's haven't

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August 10

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Friday, a walk-off homer to win. Saturday, a walk-fest debacle to lose. Sunday, a Wak in the park to win. "It's nice," said Don Wakamatsu, whose rookie season as Mariners manager has had more one-run games than the moon has craters. "We scored some runs this week." Especially Sunday, when the 11-2 triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays made for the biggest winning margin of the season. Even more impressive, the Mariners obtained a quality start from Ryan Rowland-Smith, which not only rested a fraying bullpen, it hit the pause button, albeit momentarily, on the sour conversation about Erik Bedard. With all this walking about, perhaps it's understandable that some fans want to see Bedard take a ..."

Bedard's MRI reveals 'something'

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August 8

MLB.com

"The Erik Bedard injury saga continues for the Seattle Mariners. Results from the left-hander's MRI exam on Friday revealed, well, there's "something" in his left shoulder causing the discomfort he's been feeling for much of this season. And that's about all the Mariners know at this point. "They found some issues in his shoulder," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "We don't know the severity of it yet, but there's something in there that's causing him some discomfort, and they saw it." Wakamatsu said there is currently no set plan for when Bedard will begin any rehab assignment, and he was only specific enough to say there was some "slight fraying" shown on the MRI."

Erik Bedard likely out for season

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August 8

Seattle Times

"There's no definitive word on the status of Erik Bedard's shoulder after his MRI today, but what doctors are seeing is ominous enough that general manager Jack Zduriencik said "it's probably a longshot" that Bedard will pitch again for the Mariners this year. Of course, that means he very well might have thrown his last pitch for them, period, with his contract expiring after the season and free agency looming. In fact, Zduriencik said that surgery is "possible" for Bedard, which would obviously end his season and quite likely his Mariners tenure. "I think it's good news in the fact it's not serious, but bad news in the fact we're probably not going to have him," Zduriencik said. "To me, I ..."

Still-sore Bedard may be done for '09

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August 6

Tacoma News Tribune

"Erik Bedard's injury-marred career with the Seattle Mariners might end without him taking the mound again this season, with the veteran lefty's ailing left shoulder shutting him down once again. Bedard won't throw again before undergoing an MRI exam in Seattle on Friday, which will be compared to an earlier MRI of the shoulder. "Erik's frustrated - we all are," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He wants to come back, we want him back, but the No. 1 thing is, we want to get to the bottom of this. "Right now, he's back to square one." That means Bedard - who was placed on the disabled list in June, then came off for four starts and returned to it last month - is feeling discomfort in the ..."

Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard will have MRI on shoulder Friday

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August 6

Seattle Times

"Erik Bedard felt discomfort in his shoulder after Tuesday's bullpen session and will get a magnetic-resonance imaging exam Friday in Seattle. "We're going to send up the old MRI that he had earlier, have this one and try to do a comparison, see if we can't get to the bottom of it," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. The team should have the results later in the day. "There's obviously something in there that's bothering him, and we want to get to the bottom of it," Wakamatsu said."

Pain remains in Bedard's throwing shoulder

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July 29

Tacoma News Tribune

"The Seattle Mariners hope Erik Bedard will be able to throw a bullpen session today relatively pain-free - the first step toward his returning to the rotation after coming off the disabled list in August. The sticking point might be Bedard's left shoulder, which remains inflamed and painful. "If my arm is at my side, I'm fine," Bedard said Tuesday. "If I lift it, it hurts." After he came off the disabled list July 6, he made two starts before his left shoulder started hurting whenever he threw a fastball. "It just got consistently worse, but after my third start, I didn't say anything - I didn't want to skip a start," Bedard said. "We're playing well, we're winning, and the team counted ..."

Mariners place Erik Bedard on disabled list again with shoulder inflammation

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July 27

Seattle Times

"Erik Bedard is back on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his left shoulder. "At this point, we're not going to do an MRI," Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said. "He's on some other anti-inflammatories and then we'll see. We'll try to get him to throw in about three or four days. And we'll see if that medication kicks in a little bit. If that kicks in, then there's no need." Bedard is going to miss at least two starts. Wakamatsu saw Bedard's fastball topping out at 94 mph in the third and final inning worked by the left-hander Saturday. He also saw "some good curveballs" but "very few pitches on a downhill plane.""

Mariners a bubble team

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July 26

Yahoo! Sports

(scroll down)

"One scout said Saturday that the best thing that could happen to the Seattle Mariners is for them to lose five or six games in a row, because while they're hanging around in wild-card contention, "They're playing over their heads and should be thinking about trading [Jarrod] Washburn, [Miguel] Batista and [Erik] Bedard." Of all the bubble teams, the Mariners might be the most interesting because they have attractive trade pieces, but also because they are winning often enough to bring back some of the fans lost in the Bill Bavasi era. They have a first-year GM – Jack Zduriencik – who probably doesn't want to go white flag four months into his first season. Bedard looks like he's staggering ..."

Bedard's not going anywhere

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July 26

Tacoma News Tribune

"It took the Seattle Mariners months to acquire starting pitcher Erik Bedard in what can only be called the worst trade the franchise ever made. If we know nothing else about the prolonged meeting late Saturday afternoon among Bedard, manager Don Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik, we know it will be months before the Mariners can part ways with the star-crossed left-hander. Six days remain until the non-waiver trading deadline expires. Zduriencik may yet agree to a blockbuster deal that could both solidify this season's team and solve some long-range position problems, but Bedard is off the table. "With Erik, you look at the command and lack of efficiency with his pitches. We ..."

Mariners officials think Erik Bedard is hurt again

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July 26

Seattle Times

"The good news in the photo above is that I think the Mariners actually won the game you see them playing. The bad news is, it was against their own 4 and 5-year-old kids and doesn't count in the standings. Oh well. In the real game played today, the Mariners were whipped 10-3 by the Cleveland Indians. And then, as if falling 7 1/2 games out of the division lead wasn't bad enough, the team kept the clubhouse door closed longer than usual. The reason why is that Don Wakamatsu and Jack Zduriencik caught up with Erik Bedard afterwards and had a frank discussion with him. Wakamatsu and Zduriencik didn't like how many pitches it was taking Bedard to get hitters out today and feel he is hurting. ..."

Should Erik Bedard stay or should he go?

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July 14

Seattle Times

columnist Steve Kelley

"Erik Bedard staggered through his Sunday start like a sailor on a storm-tossed ship. He teetered in the first. Tottered in the second. But through the first five innings against Texas, whenever Bedard needed an out, he got one. When his defense failed him (two errors by newcomer Jack Hannahan at third), he pitched out of the problem. Then when he strayed past the fifth inning into the sixth, as his pitch count crept toward 90, he made his one big mistake and Hank Blalock rode it into the right-field seats. A batter later, after 93 pitches, Bedard was gone. In his 5-2/3 innings, he allowed only two runs and three hits in the Mariners' 5-3 win. He threw laser-guided, 93 mph fastballs and a ..."

Should Erik Bedard stay or should he go?

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July 13

Seattle Times

columnist Steve Kelley

"Erik Bedard staggered through his Sunday start like a sailor on a storm-tossed ship. He teetered in the first. Tottered in the second. But through the first five innings against Texas, whenever Bedard needed an out, he got one. When his defense failed him (two errors by newcomer Jack Hannahan at third), he pitched out of the problem. Then when he strayed past the fifth inning into the sixth, as his pitch count crept toward 90, he made his one big mistake and Hank Blalock rode it into the right-field seats. A batter later, after 93 pitches, Bedard was gone. In his 5-2/3 innings, he allowed only two runs and three hits in the Mariners' 5-3 win. He threw laser-guided, 93 mph fastballs and a ..."

Simulated game Bedard's next step

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July 2

MLB.com

"It appears that injured left-hander Erik Bedard will pitch at Fenway Park -- against the Mariners. Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu unveiled an updated work schedule for the lefty during his pregame media session on Wednesday, saying that Bedard would pitch a simulated game on Friday in Boston and -- if all goes well -- start against the Orioles next Tuesday night at Safeco Field, as well as the following Sunday -- July 12 -- against the Rangers. Bedard, sidelined since June 7 with discomfort in his left shoulder, threw a bullpen session at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. "He threw 40-some pitches and said he felt great," Wakamatsu said. "He is feeling better than he has in a long time. It was a ..."

Bedard's shoulder injury not serious

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June 20

MLB.com

"The Mariners received some good news Friday on left-hander Erik Bedard. The shoulder discomfort that prevented him from making his last scheduled start apparently is nothing serious and he will return to the rotation during the team's next road trip. Bedard underwent an MRI exam in Los Angeles on Thursday and the results were announced prior to Friday night's series opener against the D-backs. "He can't throw for three days and then he'll be on a pitch count," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "The only thing they could find at all was slight bursitis, but you never know with those things and exactly what it is. That's the only thing they could come up with." The Mariners put Bedard on the ..."

Bedard on DL strains staff

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June 18

Tacoma News Tribune

"There were hints of the coming situation. On Tuesday, following an 8-minute flat-ground throwing session, Erik Bedard was seen pointing to spot on the back of his sore left shoulder for Mariners trainer Rick Griffin. On Wednesday, just a half-hour before he was supposed to throw a bullpen session in preparation for his next start, scheduled for Saturday, Bedard was seen leaving Petco Field instead. Later, when hard-hitting Tacoma Rainiers first baseman Mike Carp came out of the clubhouse for early batting practice, it seemed like a foregone conclusion - something was wrong with Bedard. That something was continued discomfort in his throwing shoulder, which led the Mariners to place him ..."

Bedard in a breeze

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June 3

Baltimore Sun

"The Orioles, of all teams, know how dominant Erik Bedard can be, so it would have been easy to dismiss Tuesday as one of those inevitable nights where they were shut down by a very good pitcher. The problem with that theory is it has been happening far too frequently to give the Orioles the complete benefit of the doubt. Bedard overwhelmed his former team, taking a three-hit shutout into the seventh inning in the Seattle Mariners' 8-2 victory over the Orioles in front of an announced 17,978 at Safeco Field. The Orioles (24-29) have now scored just three runs over their past 30 innings, and six runs over their past 39 frames. Overall, they've been held to three runs or fewer eight times ..."

Erik Bedard leaves A's bedazzled in 1-0 Mariners win

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April 13

Seattle Times

"Compliments were being dished around the diamond by new general manager Jack Zduriencik after his surprising Mariners had completed their first sweep of the season. With happy voices echoing from behind the clubhouse door after a 1-0 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon, Zduriencik stood in a corridor and praised many of the new faces who have come in and transformed a franchise in serious trouble not long ago. And some of his most heartfelt praise was saved for a left-handed pitcher who doesn't qualify as "new" to this team, but appeared reborn with each devastating curveball he threw in the midafternoon sunshine. This wasn't the first time Erik Bedard has pitched for ..."

A's Cahill outdueled by M's Bedard

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April 13

Oakland Tribune

"Trevor Cahill learned just how good his stuff stacks up against major league hitters Sunday afternoon. Too bad for the A's, he wasn't the only pitcher dialed in. Cahill took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his second major league start, only to find himself on the wrong end of a 1-0 loss to the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum. Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard played the role of spoiler, limiting the A's to just three hits over 8?1/3 innings and helping the Mariners complete a three-game sweep in the A's first home series of the season. If Bedard (1-0) was a model of efficiency — he faced just three batters over the minimum through the first eight innings — Cahill had to work ..."

Bedard's injury still nagging him

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March 13

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The Mariners were so sure the sore buttock bothering Erik Bedard was a minor injury that they scheduled him for a batting-practice session Thursday after he was scratched from Wednesday's start. But Bedard still felt discomfort while warming up for the throwing session and never took the mound. His status remains day-to-day, although the club is optimistic he'll throw a bullpen session Friday. "I was pretty sure he'd throw today," manager Don Wakamatsu said. "But when he said he was still feeling something, we decided not to push it. It's better to get it completely calmed down." Team physician Dr. Mitch Storey said Bedard's sore gluteus maximus is no big deal. It's a mild muscle strain ..."

M's hold Bedard out of start as precaution

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March 12

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"For a team that is counting on its starting pitching as the key to a much-improved team, the Mariners have had a tough first few weeks of spring training. First they had to scratch Brandon Morrow (right forearm) from consecutive starts, even though they gave him time off to rest in between. Then Felix Hernandez and Carlos Silva took off for the World Baseball Classic to pitch for Team Venezuela. And Wednesday, the club said starter Erik Bedard, who missed more than half of last season with shoulder problems, would miss at least one turn in the rotation. He has a muscle strain in his buttocks and was scratched from Wednesday's game in favor of Chris Jakubauskas, who threw three hitless ..."

Bedard, Morrow look strong on mound

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February 25

MLB.com

"Two pitchers that figure prominently in the Mariners rotation this season gave manager Don Wakamatsu a glimpse of them in a game situation on Tuesday. He liked what he saw of left-hander Erik Bedard and right-hander Brandon Morrow. "I though both of them looked healthy and strong," Wakamatsu said after a five-inning intrasquad game at the Peoria Sports Complex. "I thought Morrow was a little rushed, but overall we were very happy." Bedard, coming off shoulder surgery to remove a cyst, pitched a scoreless first inning, striking out one and surrendering a hit, while Morrow reached his pitch-count limit with two outs in his only inning. He allowed three hits and two unearned runs. "He has ..."

Mariners monitor Bedard's tosses

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February 16

Toronto Sun

"Erik Bedard of Navan, Ont., declared himself fine after he threw for 12 minutes in the bullpen yesterday, his first work off a mound in front of Seattle Mariners eyes since having season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder last September. Bedard didn't start after July 4 last season, a disappointing one after the Mariners traded five top prospects to Baltimore for what they thought would be their ace in 2008. How curious were the Mariners to see Bedard throw Sunday? New general manager Jack Zduriencik, assistant GM Lee Pelekoudas, first-time manager Don Wakamatsu, trainer Rick Griffin and new pitching coach Rick Adair all watched from a few feet away as the left-hander threw ..."

Bedard tosses pain-free session

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February 16

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"It was unusual, very unusual. There was Erik Bedard on a pitching mound, throwing without pain and with a smile on his face. It's amazing what pitching without pain can do for someone's outlook. "It just doesn't hurt," Bedard said after throwing about 30 pitches in 12 minutes. "It" is his left shoulder, which was in pain much of the 2008 season, when he started just 15 games, won six and didn't pitch after July 4. He underwent surgery in September, a disappointing end to a season in which he was expected to be the Mariners' ace after they traded five players to Baltimore to get him. Dr. Lewis Yocum removed a cyst from Bedard's pitching shoulder and cut away some tissue. Recovery time from ..."

Will Bedard's new beginning have a happy ending?

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January 22

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

columnist Jim Moore

"AMAZING, ISN'T IT, that Erik Bedard won't be at the Mariners FanFest this weekend at Safeco Field. He should be, thanking the fans who help pay for his salary. The Mariners avoided arbitration on Tuesday by giving the moody lefty a one-year, $7.75 million contract, a raise of $750,000. Bedard, 29, went 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA and did not pitch the final three months of last season because of a shoulder injury. For most of the year, he was criticized for not talking to the media, not being durable and not toughing it out more than he did. Bedard has to be the most-gifted and least-liked Mariner of all-time. But the mantra in this space remains the same -- he's a jerk worth keeping. When players ..."

Mariners sign recovering Bedard

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January 20

MLB.com

"It's two down and one to go for the Mariners in salary arbitration. One day after ace right-hander Felix Hernandez reached agreement on a one-year, $3.8 million contract to avoid the salary-arbitration process, left-hander Erik Bedard followed suit on Tuesday with a one-year, $7.75 million contract that includes an additional $650,000 in bonuses. He made $7 million last season. "All our reports this winter are that his rehabilitation is going very well," general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "We are excited to see a healthy pitcher take the hill this season." Bedard, acquired in a five-for-one trade with the Orioles almost a year ago, had an injury-plagued season with the Mariners. He went ..."

His shoulder repaired, Bedard focuses on other issues

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December 10

Tacoma News Tribune

"The new general manager of the Seattle Mariners described Erik Bedard as "very excited." The new manager hung out with him in Las Vegas on Sunday night and said the two of them had "a great time." There's no reason to think Jack Zduriencik or Don Wakamatsu are making this up - but a happy, effusive Erik Bedard? That's someone the Seattle Mariners and their fans never saw in 2008. Acquired in a five-for-one trade with Baltimore, installed as the Mariners' opening-day pitcher before he'd thrown a pitch in spring training, Bedard was an enigma in Seattle. He rarely smiled. "There wasn't much reason to, was there?" Bedard said this week. He had a point. Bedard also had the wrong personality ..."

M's dig Bedard, for starters, but aren't sure about the end

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December 9

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Erik Bedard -- here to stay. J.J. Putz -- here for now, probably to stay. Brandon Morrow -- in the rotation, at least for now. That's the way things are shaping up for the Mariners after the first full day of the winter meetings in the Bellagio hotel and casino. Bedard flew into Las Vegas on Sunday, had lunch with new manager Don Wakamatsu and met with the man who surgically repaired his shoulder in September, Dr. Lewis Yocum, and then left Monday. As Bedard was flying home, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik confidently predicted the left-hander, acquired in a five-player deal with the Baltimore Orioles in February, would be part of the rotation next season. Zduriencik couldn't make ..."

Bedard could miss 6-9 months

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September 18

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Given his general demeanor, Erik Bedard wasn't about to spend much of the past three months talking about his injuries. He's not big on talking, and what would have been the point? Bedard couldn't pitch, his left shoulder was sore and it wasn't getting better. On Tuesday, Bedard and the Mariners agreed he needed to undergo exploratory surgery. On Wednesday, he talked about his painful first season in Seattle and the prospect of missing as much as half of the 2009 season. Hip pain sent him to the disabled list in April, though just before that, he first felt pain in his shoulder. He's due to undergo surgery Sept. 26. "The start after I hurt my hip, I felt discomfort in the last inning I ..."

Bedard to have shoulder surgery

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September 17

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The saga of Erik Bedard's shoulder has been in the background of the Mariners season all summer. Bedard, who hasn't pitched since July 4, has spent 2 1/2 months trying to avoid surgery after suffering tightness in his left shoulder. Tuesday the Mariners and Bedard acknowledged rest and rehabilitation had failed. The club and the pitcher agreed exploratory surgery is the best option. Dr. Lewis Yocum will perform the operation Sept. 26. The left-hander had surgery on his left elbow in 2003. "I'm not concerned with surgery," Bedard said Tuesday after the Mariners' 6-3 loss in Kansas City. Other than that, Bedard put off talking about the process for the time being, leaving that to others. ..."

For now, rehabilitating Bedard must be content with 'baby steps'

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August 5

Tacoma News Tribune

"Exactly one month since Erik Bedard threw a pitch for the Seattle Mariners, it appears likely it will be at least another month before he's ready to pitch again. Sidelined by a shoulder impingement, Bedard is playing catch this week and looking ahead. "I'm not comfortable with the thought of not pitching again this season," Bedard said. "I kind of have to throw just to know I'm fine. One start wouldn't be enough to know I'm back at full strength - you've got to make a couple of starts to see how you bounce back." For now, playing catch is "baby steps," he said. "I've been doing a lot of weight work and things off the field, but without doing anything baseball related, it's tough to feel ..."

Mariners starter Bedard's first step back consists of 60 feet

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August 4

Tacoma News Tribune

"Rarely has a simple game of catch been so reported on in advance, or drawn so many questions once it was completed. On Sunday, for the first time in a month, Erik Bedard played catch. Trainer Rick Griffin talked about it to a swarm of reporters. "He said he felt good. This is the first step. Just the fact that he felt good throwing and didn't have any discomfort, that's a great sign," Griffin said. "Every day we'll add to it." Acquired in an offseason trade and named opening-day starter for the Seattle Mariners, Bedard has gone 6-4 with a 3.67 earned-run average - but missed time because of injuries to his hip, back and now shoulder. Playing catch in left field before the game, Bedard ..."

Former Oriole Bedard hopes for '08 return

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August 3

Baltimore Sun

"When Erik Bedard walked up to the top step of the Seattle Mariners' dugout during the ninth inning of the Orioles' 10-5 victory Friday, several of his former teammates yelled at him from across the field. Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera asked Bedard what was wrong, and the Mariners pitcher immediately pointed to his left shoulder. Injuries have limited Bedard, whom the Orioles traded to the Mariners in February for reliever George Sherrill, outfielder Adam Jones and three prospects, to 15starts. "Pretty much the one thing that I didn't want to happen happened," said Bedard, who is 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA. "I came here after a trade and got hurt. It's really disappointing that I can't help the ..."

No timetable set for Bedard's return

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July 28

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Another series came and went for the Mariners on Sunday and still no word on when left-hander Erik Bedard will be able to resume throwing. Seattle had previously hoped Bedard would pitch on the side during the club's three-game set in Toronto, but the 29-year-old didn't feel like his tight left shoulder was up to the task. "He's not at the point where he's ready to throw," Mariners manager Jim Riggleman said. "It's going to take time, and I don't know when it's going to be." Even once Bedard agrees to resume throwing it will be quite a while before he is able to return to the rotation. Bedard hasn't pitched since July 4 against the Tigers and will require at least a couple of bullpen ..."

MRI confirms Bedard has sore shoulder

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July 23

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The Erik Bedard saga took another twist Tuesday. With his left shoulder having improved only negligibly in the past few weeks, the Mariners starting pitcher had an MRI exam. Bedard threw a little in the batting cages Sunday, but when he didn't feel he could throw again Monday, the Mariners decided to see if an MRI could find a problem. "We'd hoped to have him throw a bit on Monday," manager Jim Riggleman said. "He didn't feel up to it, so we scheduled the MRI. Hopefully the news is good." It was, relatively speaking. The MRI and a subsequent exam by Mariners medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan confirmed the original diagnosis of an internal impingement, or sore shoulder."