Injuries are starting to play a part in the AL West race.Watching the Mariners wrap up a meaningless top of the ninth inning against the Angels, suddenly took on another meaning when Edgar Martinez pulled a hamstring running out a slow hit ball to third. Martinez grabbed the back of his leg, near the knee about fifteen feet from first base and hobbled into the bag before falling off to the side. He threw his batting helmet as he rolled on the ground in clear pain.

The Mariners play precision baseball, often striking in the late innings. Martinez is a major part of the order and sets up the at bats of third place hitter Bret Boone and fifth hitters John Olerud or Mike Cameron. Unless he is a fast healer, it looks like he will be out for at least three to four weeks, judging from his reaction to the injury.

Mark Mulder left his start Thursday after four innings with tightness in his left forearm. Not good news. Mulder said he really didn’t have a feel for the ball in his last start against Seattle Saturday night. Now this injury on Thursday. Last season in Chicago, Mulder pulled a back muscle when he didn’t warm up properly and was ineffective for about three starts before regaining his form. The A’s will proceed cautiously before sending him out for his next start which should be next Wednesday against Seattle.

Jermaine Dye is getting closer to a rehab assignment. Probably next week sometime, if all goes well. With the A’s offense starting to slow down, the pressure is on Dye to at least DH as soon as possible.

Tim Hudson, who has owned the Angels in the past, opens the series tonight against Ramon Ortiz who has never beaten the A’s.

Without Troy Percival in the pen, if the Angels get the lead, Alan Levine is the closer. He had become an effective set up man for Percival, now the burden falls on Ben Weber or Dennis Cook or Lou Pote. Not good for the Halos.

Juan Gonzalez is on the DL for the Rangers. Mulder was the first lefty Texas beat all season, tonight Jamie Moyer (8-3 lifetime) goes against Ismael Valdes (1-5 lifetime). Pudge Rodriguez and A Rod hit Moyer for the Rangers fairly well, but that’s about it. They will miss Gonzalez Friday night, for sure. Those glad to see Valdes for Seattle include John Olerud (13-23 lifetime),

Jeff Cirillo (6-14), and Bret Boone who has the only Mariner homer off Valdes. Since the game is in Arlington, maybe it will be closer than what you would expect at first glance.

Houston and St. Louis have another weekend series. Again, the Cards saved Matt Morris for the Astros. Wade Miller pitched effectively in his last start against the Cards, but this game will again be a battle of bull pens. St. Louis handled Houston very well last year and so far has the upper hand this season, too.

Greg Maddux, finally off the DL faces the Marlins phenom, Josh Beckett. Gary Sheffield was hit on the leg Thursday night and had to leave the game. If he is unavailable, this could turn into a 2-1 game very quickly. The Braves bull pen may decide this one if Maddux needs help. Normally, I would think he would only go 5 to 6 innings in his first work in two weeks or so, but he is so economical with his pitches, he probably will get into the 7th inning. This division is wide open and will be a real fight all summer. Vladimir Nunez is now the Marlins closer. What turmoil on this team.

I grew up in Miami Beach and enjoyed going to the AAA Marlins games in old Miami Stadium. Football has always been number one in South Florida, but those Sunday doubleheaders were exciting and drew enthusiastic crowds. I remember seeing Satchell Paige, Rocky Nelson, Luke Easter and Tommy Lasorda play in the International league. People showed up in the heat and it was fun. The fan support is there. Again, it’s a matter of proper marketing and spending some money to promote the team. Stop whining about a new stadium and put a better product on the field. The nucleus is there with decent pitching, and they score some runs.

Ishii against Kevin Jarvis. These two teams (LA and San Diego) actually have developed a nice rivalry for the fans. Let’s see what Ishii’s approach is in this game. Will he throw curves or try to rely mainly on his average fastball? Eric Gagne has closer mentality. Tattoos, goatee, weird glasses,and somewhat detached. I enjoyed talking with him and he is good in this role.

Two Olympians go in Pac Bell. Is it my imagination or are there some decent young pitchers popping up all over the game? Sheets and Ainsworth can both bring it. The only chance Milwaukee has to win a game is when Sheets pitches. With no Ray King around, who will Davey Lopes use to get Barry Bonds.

El Duque will try again tonight against the Red Sox. Unfortunately, for Boston they have to go with erratic Darren Oliver. I’ve seen Oliver pitch enough to know he has no chance of keeping command of his stuff for more than four innings ( Jason Giambi and Bernie Williams murder his stuff). I don’t care if he is a lefty and is 5-1 lifetime against the Yanks. The BoSox pen better be ready. What’s up with Urbina, Garces and Arrojo? Not a good series against KC.

It sure would be nice to see Boston win this series just to show NY that the Bombers just can’t walk in and demoralize the Sox in April. Boston needs a good game from Pedro this weekend.

39 year old John Burkett is close to a rehab start which is good news for Sox fans.

Mark Buerhle opens the ChiSox home schedule against the O’s and Josh Towers. Buerhle can take the team deep into the game which is what he must do to win, since the White Sox bull pen is still needing life support. Towers has a habit of keeping the game close until the seventh inning or so. Maybe the Orioles have finally gotten the bats moving with their explosion against the Devil Rays. This may be another close game.

The second weekend promises to be good one. Stay tuned, the marathon is just beginnig.