Kenji

Johjima

Johjima might need a bit more time than he’s getting. Rene Rivera has started just five games over the last three months, and Johjima has finished three of those contests. If the Mariners aren’t happy with what Rene Rivera is giving them, they could go back to Guillermo Quiroz, who is hitting .313/.352/.424 in Triple-A.

“This has nothing to do with being upset at Johjima,” manager Mike Hargrove said, “And everything to do with getting Rene Rivera into more games. Johjima will start Thursday.”

Jose Lopez and Richie Sexson also homered for Seattle. Johjima’s homer was his second in six weeks and fourth overall. He’s batting .316 during May, but that hasn’t led to great fantasy numbers.

Johjima homered in his first two big league games, then waited until May 1 to add his third. He’s done a solid job for both the Mariners and fantasy leaguers thus far with a .289 batting average, 20 runs scored, five homers, and 23 RBI.

That explains why Johjima wasn’t in the lineup after homering twice Saturday. The Mariners reportedly expect to have Johjima back Tuesday.

Johjima’s second homer came after Richie Sexson put Seattle on top with an RBI single. It’s the second two-homer game in a row for Johjima, who started tonight after missing Sunday’s contest with a bruised quad. He has as many RBI (nine) in his last two games as he did in his previous 29 games combined.

He also drew a walk, and is batting .295 with 60 RBI making for a pretty impressive North American debut, considering he’s had to deal with language issues while trying to manage a new pitching staff.

Sources in the organization told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that there is some interest in Jojima, even though upgrading at catcher isn’t considered a top priority. Unless a bargain presents itself, the Mariners could go with Yorvit Torrealba as the starter next year.

Jojima is expected to visit with the Mariners, Mets and Padres. The two Los Angeles teams could also be possibilities.

“The Mariners were incredibly hospitable,” agent Alan Nero said. “But we are still in the middle of this process. He’s only visited one team. He’s only been to Seattle.” Jojima’s visit with the Mets is expected to begin on Friday.