Ichiro to the DL with a Bleeding Ulcer

Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners has never been on the disabled list – until now. Due to a bleeding ulcer that has led to discomfort and fatigue, Ichiro will begin the 2009 MLB campaign on the disabled list. The Mariners will try to get off on the right foot without arguably their best player.

This offseason has been an extremely busy time for Ichiro. Playing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for Japan, he had the entire pressure of the country on him to bring home back-to-back WBC titles. Thanks to Ichiro’s game-winning hit, he was able to do just that.

Ichiro's Heroic Hit for Japan (Image: newscom)

Although he didn’t get many swings in during spring training, Ichiro hit .417. After missing the final three spring training games, doctors found that the problem was a bleeding ulcer.

Last year the Mariners massively underperformed, however Ichiro wasn’t part of the problem. He hit .310 with six homers, 42 RBIs and finished with more than 100 runs, 200 hits and a batting average of better than .300 for the eighth consecutive season in his career.