Brendan Ryan returned to action on Monday April 9.

Shortstop Brendan Ryan was scratched from the Mariners lineup on Saturday with a stiff neck. Ryan missed the final few weeks of last season and time this spring with a nerve issue, but Mariners manager Eric Wedge doesn't believe this recent stiffness is related. Munenori Kawasaki will take his place in the lineup, making his major league debut.

Brendan Ryan (foot, shoulder) played shortstop in an intrasquad game Wednesday in Mariners camp. Ryan told reporters after the scrimmage that his arm and foot felt good. He'll have no limitations going forward and is expected to be 100 percent by Opening Day.

Brendan Ryan (foot, shoulder) is aiming to play shortstop in an intrasquad game Wednesday. Ryan came into spring camp with shoulder and neck issues, and exited an intrasquad game Sunday after fouling a ball off his foot. But all of the injuries are considered minor, and he should have no trouble catching up with the Mariners' other infielders.

Brendan Ryan had to leave Sunday's intrasquad game after fouling a ball off his foot. It's not clear at this point if he'll need an X-ray. Ryan already came to camp banged up, as he's recovering from neck and shoulder issues. The excitable shortstop batted just .248/.313/.326 with three home runs, 39 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .639 OPS over 123 games in 2011, but he features a slick glove.

Brendan Ryan (shoulder) did more extensive throwing Thursday and said he felt "great." The Mariners are taking it easy with Ryan, who is recovering from neck and shoulder issues. He likely will be limited for a few more days. The 29-year-old batted just .248/.313/.326 with three home runs, 39 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .639 OPS over 123 games in 2011, but will be the M's starting shortstop this season if healthy.

Brendan Ryan (shoulder) played catch Wednesday for the first time in Mariners' camp. Ryan also took part in all drills without throwing. The 29-year-old is being brought along slowly after missing the final two weeks of last season with neck and shoulder injuries, but he still has plenty of time to get ready for the start of the season.

Mariners skipper Eric Wedge said Monday that Brendan Ryan (shoulder) will begin throwing "soon." Wedge assured reporters that the M's have simply been playing it safe with Ryan, who suffered from neck and shoulder issues last year. The 29-year-old shortstop should be ready by the start of the 2012 regular season.

Brendan Ryan (neck, shoulder) hasn't been cleared to throw. Ryan dealt with neck and shoulder problems near the end of the 2011 season and still hasn't fully recovered from either. The Mariners are concerned, but the hope is he can play catch-up during the month of March.

Brendan Ryan (neck) has not yet been cleared to swing a bat. Ryan dealt with neck stiffness for the better part of September and was eventually shut down with about a week left to go in the season. The ailment left him unable to turn his head too far left or right, and although he still doesn't have full range of motion, he's getting better and thinks he'll be cleared to swing within the next 10 days. "I watch television with a bat in my hand," he said. "I'm close. I'm a lot better than I was, but I think I expected to bounce back a lot faster than I have."