Carp away from Mariners for birth of daughter

NEW YORK -- Mariners first baseman Mike Carp flew to California on Saturday night for the birth of his baby girl and was not with the team for its series finale at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.

Carp is expected back on Monday night, when the Mariners will open a three-game set with the Orioles.

Second baseman Dustin Ackley moved over to first base in Carp's absence, with Kyle Seager starting at second base and Chone Figgins getting the nod at third.

With shortstop Brendan Ryan sidelined by a sore left elbow after he was hit by a pitch on Saturday, the Mariners' bench was down to Miguel Olivo and Casper Wells for Sunday's game.

"We're a little thin," manager Eric Wedge acknowledged.

Closer Tom Wilhelmsen is also expecting the birth of a daughter any day but is with the team on its East Coast road swing.