PEORIA, Ariz. -- Mariners left fielder Ichiro Suzuki was hit in the helmet by a pitch during a Minor League game against the Rangers on Friday, but he is "doing well," said general manager Jerry Dipoto.
The 44-year-old was helped off the field and taken to the training room after being down briefly following the incident. He was evaluated by the Mariners doctors and will be reassessed again on Saturday to determine whether he'll be cleared to play in Saturday's 6:40 p.m. PT Cactus League game against the Cubs.
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Ichiro has only played in four Cactus League games since signing with the Mariners on March 7, including just one game since injuring his calf. He is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in Cactus League action, but was playing in Minor League games on Friday in order to get extra at-bats and work on his timing.
He wound up only getting only four plate appearances before getting hit by lefty Brandon Mann, who pitched in Double-A last year.
The Mariners plan on having Ichiro as their starting left fielder to open the season in place of the injured Ben Gamel, but have just three remaining Cactus League games to get him ready.