X-rays on Taylor's hand come back clean

SEATTLE -- The X-rays that Chris Taylor had on his right hand Sunday morning came back clean and the Mariners shortstop is expected to be back in the lineup once the swelling goes down, manager Lloyd McClendon said.

Taylor had his hand stepped on in Saturday night's win against Oakland, and although he stayed in the game after a brief chat with a trainer, he was removed from Sunday's lineup two hours before first pitch.

The injury occurred when A's first baseman Mark Canha made an effort to corral a wild pickoff attempt, stepping on Taylor's hand as the Mariner dove back to the base.

The swelling is near the knuckle above the pinky finger on the right hand, and McClendon said it scared Taylor more than anything.

Taylor was competing with Miller for the starting shortstop position during Spring Training before breaking a bone in his right wrist that caused him to miss more than a month. He was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on May 4 and has appeared in five games.