Guillen Might Start Today

Mariner shortstop Carlos Guillen, sidelined since Sept. 28 after being diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, is not only expected to be activated for the series against the Yankees, there’s a good chance he’ll start in Game 1 today.

Guillen was medically cleared after undergoing a blood test and an X-ray Tuesday morning, and he felt good after a rigorous afternoon workout that included batting practice off Seattle pitcher Brett Tomko, running the bases at full speed and infield practice.

“Two weeks ago, I didn’t think I had any chance of playing in the postseason,” said Guillen, who sat out the division series against Cleveland.

Guillen, a smooth defensive player who hit .259 with 53 runs batted in this season, missed the last nine games of the season, but he has been taking ground balls and batting practice regularly for the past week. Manager Lou Piniella said he would not hesitate starting Guillen, but he doubted he would play every day.

“He’s a tough kid, very competitive, and he loves to play,” Piniella said. “And to think that he played with T.B. for probably a good while and never complained. That speaks a lot of the individual.”

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Mariner reliever Jeff Nelson, a key setup man for a Yankee team that has won three consecutive World Series and four of the last five, is fired up about facing his former teammates.

“If you’re going to go to the World Series, you might as well go through New York, because they’re the best,” Nelson said. “At least one of us is going to see a fourth World Series in a row, them or me.”