Dominic Leone, who nearly made the Mariners opening day roster before being demoted to AAA Tacoma the Friday before the opener, rejoined the team in Los Angeles before the 7 p.m. game Monday with the Dodgers. He replaced Tom Wilhelmsen, who has a hyperextended right elbow that put him on the 15-day disabled list.
Wilhelmsen, 31, was knocked around a bit in his first two appearances, allowing five hits and two runs in 2.2 innings. He’s eligible to return April 26.
Leone has had one appearance for the Rainiers, retiring all three batters he faced April 10 in El Paso. In 57 appearances last season, Leone had an 8-2 record with a 2.17 ERA. But a relatively poor spring cost him, in favor of rookie Carson Smith.
The starting lineup Monday at Dodger Stadium includes a new outfield combo: Nelson Cruz in left, Dustin Ackley in center (hitting leadoff) and Seth Smith in right. Without a DH in a National League Park, manager Lloyd McClendon wanted to keep Cruz’s bat in the lineup. And Ackley played 40 games in center in 2013.