Junior Won’t Replace Junior

Almost as soon as Ken Griffey Jr. broke his hand last week, rumors began circulating around Seattle that the Mariners were going to promote outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to the major leagues.

But, like most rumors, these don’t appear to be true.

“We have no plans right now to bring [Cruz] to the big leagues,” Larry Beinfest, Mariner director of player development, said Monday. “I don’t see any need to rush him.”

Cruz is barely a week removed from his final appearance in a JetHawk uniform--at the Cal League-Carolina League All-Star game. In his first five games in double A, he was six for 23 (.261) with one home run.

The rumors began when Mariner Manager Lou Piniella told several Seattle newspapers that he would favor bringing up Cruz.

“If we can’t [pick up an outfielder in a trade], I’d just as soon bring some of our kids up here,” Piniella told the Tacoma News Tribune, referring to Cruz.

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Tonight’s Game:

Bakersfield (Toure Knighton, 3-9, 5.75) at JetHawks (Marino Santana, 5-8, 4.12), 7:15.