PEORIA, Ariz. -- Seattle manager Lloyd McClendon said Saturday it would be "hard pressed" for either Hisashi Iwakuma or Taijuan Walker to be in the Mariners rotation on opening day because of their injury setbacks during spring training. McClendon said the injuries to Iwakuma (finger) and Walker (shoulder) will open up chances for others in camp, but also leave a rotation that had questions entering spring training even more uncertain. "I always plan for the worst and our contingency plan has been that," McClendon said. "So like I said before this gives other guys opportunities to go out and see what they can do. Well see what happens." Iwakuma will have his right middle finger in a splint for another three weeks before throwing, while Walker is being shut down for a week because of inflammation in his right shoulder. By the time the duo make up for missed time on the mound it will be early- to mid-April before either is expected in a game. While Seattle is understandably cautious with the sore shoulder of the 21-year-old Walker because of his age, the finger injury has become frustrating for Iwakuma. When he went to see Dr. Don Sheridan on Friday, Iwakuma had the expectation that he could start throwing on Saturday. Instead, he was told to avoid throwing for three more weeks. The earliest Iwakuma is expected to pick up a ball is March 21. By the time he gets caught up on bullpen sessions and simulated games to get the needed innings to be ready for the season, itll likely be mid-April before he could join the Mariners rotation. "I was honestly disappointed and frustrated too at the same time, but you have to respect what the doctor says," Iwakuma said through an interpreter Saturday morning. "I was ready to play catch today so it is what it is and I have to wait three more weeks." Iwakuma went 14-6 with a 2.66 ERA in 33 starts last season and was a finalist for the AL Cy Young Award. Iwakuma reported for spring training wearing the splint and said his finger got caught as he tried to retrieve a ball in some netting while working out in Southern California on Jan. 20. McClendon also confirmed -- not surprisingly -- that Felix Hernandez is expected to be Seattles opening day starter when the Mariners open the season on March 31 against the Angels. "Unless youve got somebody else," McClendon joked. "Ill try and see if he can go opening day, the second day and the third day." Fake Shoes Ireland . Napoli beat high-flying Hellas Verona 3-0 to keep up the pressure on the top two while AC Milan had another disappointing night as four goals from teenage forward Domenico Berardi saw relegation-threatened Sassuolo come back from two goals down to win 4-3. Buy Shoes Ireland .B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan opened the Ford Womens World Curling Championship with a 7-5 win over Russia on Saturday. https://www.shoesirelandsale.com/. It was well worth the wait. Manning and the Denver Broncos waited eight long months, then another 33 minutes to get the season started because of a lightning storm. Shoes Ireland Free Shipping . 1 player in the world. So Duval gutted it out Thursday at the Byron Nelson Championship despite the pain from a muscle issue in his right elbow, a day after his stepson had to drive him because he couldnt even use that arm. Shoes Ireland From China . - A lot of scenarios ran through Terrell Suggs head when the Baltimore linebacker prepared to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.MANCHESTER, England - Theres a very different feel to Christmas Day at Liverpool this season.Twelve months ago, Liverpool was top of the Premier League — always a significant milestone in the English game — and playing the most exciting brand of football in the country. With striker Luis Suarez pouring in goals and Brendan Rodgers being hailed for his managerial qualities, the club was gearing up for its first genuine title challenge for years.There is little to celebrate this Christmas. The Reds are in their lowest league position — 10th place — on Dec. 25 since the inaugural Premier League in 1992, out of the Champions League, have misgivings over their main striker Mario Balotelli, have just dropped their first-choice goalkeeper and have been unable to shore up their wobbly defence.Title? No chance. Top four and a return to the Champions League? Maybe.Rodgers is facing the biggest test of his 2 1/2-year reign but there have been signs over the past week that Liverpool is on its way back.And its all to do with a tinkering of the teams formation and playing style, in an attempt to reproduce the attacking fluency of last season. Rodgers has changed to a 3-4-3 formation, with a quick and energetic forward line lifting the intensity of the team.Liverpool got the performance but not the result in a 3-0 loss at Manchester United on Dec. 14, but a 3-1 win at Bournemouth in the League quarterfinals and an encouraging display in Sundays 2-2 draw against Arsenal has given Rodgers and his players some belief.We havent just stumbled across this system, Rodgers said. A lot of thinking time and hours have gone in on how we can maximize it. In the last three games its been much closer, we have to work very hard, players are adapting to the club and performances will get better and better..ddddddddddddts about rediscovering tempo and intensity and weve seen that.That doesnt spell good news for Balotelli.The Italy strikers languid style does not fit into Rodgers preferred high-tempo game and the front three for Liverpools last three games has been Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana — quick and lively attacking midfielders who never give defenders a moments rest.That hardly describes Balotelli, who has been criticized for his work rate and has yet to score a league goal since joining from AC Milan in August.Working with Mario, Rodgers said, we see someone who is better in and around the box so that level of intensity and pressing isnt part of his game. You try to get the best out of the players you have and the quality you have.With the transfer window opening in January, there is speculation that Balotellis days at Anfield are numbered. The future of dropped keeper Simon Mignolet is also uncertain.The Belgium international is in the midst of an indefinite period on the sidelines after paying the price for some nervy displays this season. Brad Jones has replaced him and although the Australian has conceded six goals in his three games, Mignolet will remain in the cold.I havent lost any belief in him — hes still an outstanding goalkeeper, Rodgers said of Mignolet. Im sure when the time comes for him to come back in, hell be a better goalkeeper for it.Ill make my mind up on that at the right time.Liverpool plays Burnley away on Friday before home games against Swansea and Leicester. It is a favourable schedule as the team looks to close the nine-point gap to fourth-place West Ham.There has been a lot of criticism of us, Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel said, and I hope it will change and be better in the second half of the season. ' ' '