Morse getting close to Minor League rehab stint

SEATTLE -- Michael Morse has been sidelined since June 21 with a strained quadriceps in his right leg, but the outfielder has been taking batting practice with the club in recent days and putting on an impressive power shows as he nears his return to action.

Morse will hit in a simulated game situation against reliever Stephen Pryor on Wednesday and the club will then decide the next move, with a likely rehab stint coming with Triple-A Tacoma before the slugger rejoins the Mariners.

"I've been hitting every day," Morse said. "That part is there. The only thing that would hurt me is sometimes if I take a really long swing and go down on my knee. That can hurt. I just can't swing at bad pitches."

Morse has been running in the outfield and even running stairs at Safeco.

"Running is fine, it's when you start to gallop and fully extend that I feel it a little," he said.

Morse has 11 home runs and 23 RBIs with a .251 batting average in 56 games this season, but he has played through a broken finger and then an extended issue with the quad before finally going on the disabled list. Now Morse's just waiting to get the word on his Minor League rehab stint, though he'd be fine with just heading straight back into the Mariners' lineup.

"I haven't heard when or where or anything yet, but hopefully soon," Morse said. "The less I think about it and the quicker I just go out there and play, the quicker I'll be back. I don't feel like I've been out that long yet."