Seager scratched with flu-like symptoms

SEATTLE -- Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager was scratched from Friday's lineup about 90 minutes before the first pitch against the Royals after coming down with flu-like symptoms.

Veteran utility man Willie Bloomquist replaced Seager at third base and took his sixth spot in the batting order as well.

Seager is the third Mariners player to deal with the flu bug in recent days, as catcher Mike Zunino dealt with the illness while in New York to start the last road trip and Felix Hernandez lost nine pounds and was under the weather in his start in Houston on May 2.

Seager was hitting .239 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 33 games going into Friday's action.