Notebook: Wilson's year in jeopardy after tearing ACL

The season, and possibly the Mariners career, of catcher Dan Wilson could be in jeopardy after he was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last night.

Wilson, one of the most popular players in the team's history, left in the bottom of the seventh inning of yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

He was hurt when he ran to second base and then pivoted and sprinted back to first on an Ichiro liner to left field that was caught on the run by Angels outfielder Garret Anderson.

Wilson, who had reached base when he singled for his second hit of the game, apparently was hurt on the reverse move back to first.

He stayed in the game for a couple of pitches then called for the trainer and was removed.

An initial examination last night revealed the tear, and Wilson was placed on the 60-day disabled list and replaced on the Mariners roster by Wiki Gonzalez, who was called up from Class AAA Tacoma.

Wilson, 36, could be out much longer than 60 days. He was scheduled to be examined further today by Mariners physician Larry Pedegana, after which the extent of the injury should be more clear.

Wilson has been with the Mariners since 1993 when he was acquired from Cincinnati along with Bobby Ayala in a deal that sent Bret Boone and Erik Hanson to the Reds.

He is the only player left from the memorable 1995 squad who has been with the team continuously ever since — pitcher Jeff Nelson was also part of that team but has played for other teams in the interim.

Wilson signed a one-year contract after last season, and many figured this could be his final year with the Mariners. He has been serving as a backup to Miguel Olivo and is hitting .185 in 27 at-bats with no homers and one run batted in.

Wilson holds Seattle career records for catchers in games caught (1,236), home runs (88) and best season average (.295 in 2002). He also is fifth on the Mariners' hit list with 1,071, trailing Edgar Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr., Jay Buhner and Alvin Davis.

M's call up Hansen

The only smiles in the Mariners' clubhouse yesterday came before the game when the team recalled veteran infielder Dave Hansen from Tacoma.

The team made room for Hansen by sending Shin-Soo Choo back to the Rainiers.

It was nothing against Choo — simply happiness from many of the Mariners to again see Hansen, who was a popular presence in the dugout a year ago.

"It's really exciting to be back," said Hansen, who spent much of the pregame exchanging hugs and handshakes with the rest of the team. "I felt I bonded really well with the guys here and I missed them."

Hansen played 57 games with the Mariners last year before being traded to the San Diego Padres. He spent spring training with the Chicago Cubs but was released before the season started, then signed with Seattle on April 28 and played six games at Tacoma, going 6 for 20.

Hansen hit .282 for the Mariners last year, primarily as a pinch-hitter, the role he figures to assume again. Interestingly, he hit only .176 as a pinch-hitter last season, but he ranks fifth on the major-league career list with 157 pinch-hits.

Reed moved down

Center fielder Jeremy Reed batted seventh, the first time he has hit that low in the order this season when the Mariners were facing a right-handed pitcher. Reed, who bats left-handed, has hit in that spot several times when the Mariners faced a lefty.

Randy Winn, who generally batted seventh, was moved to No. 2.

Winn has been one of the few Mariners hitting well lately — he has nine of the team's last 28 hits and is up to .316 for the season after going 2 for 4 yesterday.

Notes

• Mariners shortstop Pokey Reese was to have his ailing right shoulder examined yesterday by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

• Some fans reported not receiving a bat with their Edgar Martinez statue at Tuesday's game.

The bats were attached in a bag to the back of the statue. A Mariners spokesman said the team will give a bat to those who didn't get one or lost it.

• The Mariners pitching staff allowed a season-high nine walks, the most since it also allowed that many on June 1, 2004, against Toronto.