Marte working hard to regain timing at plate

MINNEAPOLIS — At first, Ketel Marte was just looking for the 22 pounds he lost while dealing with an untimely bout with mononucleosis. But now, the Mariners’ young shortstop is searching for the hitting stroke he seemed to misplace as well during his two-week stint on the disabled list last month.

The 22-year-old Dominican put up a .273/.299/.358 line in 74 games before his illness, not quite the .351 on-base percentage he flashed as a rookie last year, but still adequate production from the shortstop position.

But in 38 games since coming back from his illness, Marte’s line was .229/.264/.260 going into Saturday’s game against the Twins. He’s had just four extra-base hits — all doubles — in 131 at-bats and snapped an 0-for-18 string with a ninth-inning single in Friday’s 10-1 win.

Manager Scott Servais said Shawn O’Malley will get the start in Sunday’s series finale when Seattle faces lefty Hector Santiago, but he and hitting coach Edgar Martinez have seen enough from Marte’s left-handed swings to think he can work his way out of that funk against right-handers.

Marte has hit .284 left-handed …

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