NEW YORK (AP) - The Seattle Mariners’ game at the New York Yankees on Wednesday night was postponed because of rain.
It was rescheduled for June 2 at 7:05 p.m., which had been an off day for both teams.
For the Yankees, that date falls between home series against Minnesota and Oakland. But the Mariners must start a road trip one day early, stopping first in New York before playing two games in Atlanta and four at Tampa Bay. They do have an off day between those two series.
Due to the rainout, the Yankees won’t have to face Mariners ace Felix Hernandez this week. Hernandez had been slated to pitch the series finale Thursday night, but Seattle pushed him back. Rookie left-hander Roenis Elias, originally scheduled to start Wednesday, will now pitch Thursday instead, the team said.
Hiroki Kuroda gets the ball for New York, as planned.
David Phelps had been set to pitch Wednesday for the Yankees in place of suspended right-hander Michael Pineda. Phelps was to make his first start of the season following nine relief appearances.
Pineda cut short a simulated game Tuesday in Florida after experiencing tightness in an upper back muscle. An MRI showed he has a Grade 1 strain of the Teres Major, which is located near the shoulder. Pineda missed the past two seasons after having shoulder surgery.
He will be out three to four weeks, the Yankees said.
Before the rainout, the right-hander’s 10-game ban for having pine tar on his neck had been on track to end Sunday, and Pineda had been scheduled to pitch Monday night at the Los Angeles Angels. Phelps likely will start that game instead.
The game was called nearly 5 hours before it was supposed to begin, with rain falling in New York throughout the day and a forecast for heavy showers all night. The Mariners canceled their buses to the ballpark, and the Yankees kept the stadium closed to fans and reporters.
By late afternoon, the storm had also washed out scheduled night games in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston.
It was the second rainout of the season for the Mariners, who had their April 4 game in Oakland postponed due to poor field conditions. That game is scheduled to be made up as part of a doubleheader on May 7, the final day of Seattle’s current trip.
Seattle won the series opener 6-3 Tuesday on a rainy, chilly night. Robinson Cano went 1 for 5 with an RBI and a run, booed in his return to New York after the former Yankees second baseman signed a $240 million, 10-year contract with the Mariners in the offseason.
A pregame ceremony to honor Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Wolff was moved from Wednesday to Thursday night, the Yankees said. Guinness World Records plans to recognize Wolff for having the “Longest Career as a Broadcaster.”
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