Casper

Wells

Wells is still recovering from the flu-like illness that he came down with on Saturday. The outfielder should be ready to rock after another day or two of rest.

Wells has been sidelined since Saturday. At first, the M’s were calling his ailment a “flu-like” illness, but now they’re saying there are concerns about his equilibrium. We’ll have to wait for the results of the exam to get a clearer picture about what exactly is going on with the outfielder.

Gutierrez suffered the injury while making a throw Tuesday in Mariners camp and flew to Seattle on Wednesday morning for a full examination from team physicians. He’ll be sidelined for the next four weeks, and is certain to open the regular season on the 15-day disabled list. The 29-year-old could even be out until late May. Michael Saunders and Casper Wells are likely to share time in center field in his absence.

Carp was placed on the disabled list last week with a sprained right shoulder. Carlos Peguero was optioned down to the minors on Wednesday, so Casper Wells figures to get most of the playing time in left field until Carp is ready to return.

Mike Carp proved to be a viable major league hitter last season and remains the projected starter. Casper Wells, who was acquired from Detroit in a midseason trade, is also expected to ''be in the mix.’' Trayvon Robinson, Carlos Guillen, Chone Figgins are considered semi-regular options.

“I’m fine, I’m doing some physical therapy involving my eyes, but it’s not really an issue, anymore,” Wells said. “One of the doctors testing my eyes said they were so good that when I was having the trouble my eyesight was still better than most people, so tests weren’t picking anything up.” Wells, 27, will likely be a bench bat for the Mariners next season.

Wells began having vision and balance problems last season after taking a Brandon Morrow fastball off his nose on August 17. He wound up going just 7-for-56 (.125) over his final 18 games before being shut down in mid-September with what was called “vertigo-like symptoms.” The 27-year-old figures to serve on the short side of a platoon with Mike Carp in left field now that he’s back to full health. His speed and power should make him relevant in AL-only formats.

All of his production came in the first two innings, as he launched a three-run shot in the first and then tripled in two more in the second. It was one of three longballs for the M’s on the night, as Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak also hit one out.

Wells has batted just .226/.291/.391 in 74 games this season in the majors. He holds zero fantasy value.

He was sent down to make room for Miguel Olivo’s return from the disabled list. Wells has been buried on Eric Wedge’s bench this season, batting .213/.302/.362 with one homer, six RBI and a .664 OPS in 53 plate appearances. At least he’ll get to play every day in the minors.