SEATTLE (AP) - With ace Felix Hernandez still limited by an ankle injury, the Seattle Mariners will give reliever Ryan Rowland-Smith his first career start Tuesday night against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hernandez is still recovering from a sprained left ankle suffered last Monday against the New York Mets when Carlos Beltran slid into Hernandez as the pitcher covered home on a wild pitch. Hernandez was being re-evaluated by team doctors Monday, manager Jim Riggleman said.

Starter Miguel Batista is also suffering from a bad back, so Riggleman is turning to Rowland-Smith, hoping the left-handed Australian can go at least three or four innings and take some burden off his bullpen mates.

"If he's feeling strong, there might be an upper limit of four or five (innings)," Riggleman said. "If he's throwing a lot of pitches and Toronto is on him pretty good, it might be one or two (innings)."

Rowland-Smith started one game at Double-A San Antonio in the 2006 season, but has pitched exclusively in relief since. He made 26 appearances out of the bullpen last year for Seattle and is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 32 games this season.