A’s prepared to make their presence felt this season

Amid all the hoopla surrounding Ichiro Suzuki’s return to Japan with the Mariners, it’s been easy to overlook something else: the Athletics are here, too.

The A’s are used to being seen as the also-rans, and even relish it. They were a playoff team last season — not the Mariners. And when “Ichiromania” subsides after the season-opening games in the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday and Thursday, the A’s will again be under-the-radar favorites.

“The A’s have always been an underdog organization no matter how you put it,” A’s pitcher Liam Hendriks said. “We enjoy proving people wrong.”

Teammate Stephen Piscotty put it a different way.

“I don’t think we care too much about how that’s viewed,” he said. “Last year’s expectations weren’t all that high, and we showed why that was wrong. We’re out this year to take down the division and just play our brand of baseball.”

Hendriks has become

amultifunctional pitcher. He was the opening pitcher in the A’s 7-2 wild-card playoff loss to the Yankees. He’ll be available in relief in the A’s two games with the Mariners.

That could include facing Ichiro in what could be his final at-bat — or not. The 45-year-old Ichiro has left everyone guessing about his plans after the two games in Japan.

“If you’re going to be overshadowed, it might as well be by the all-time hits leader in baseball,” Hendriks said. “We’re just happy to be along for the ride. I can’t wait for the opening series when they announce Ichiro and hear that crowd. I’m pretty excited for it.”

Kershaw streak over: Clayton Kershaw won’t be starting for the Dodgers on opening day, ending his streak of pitching eight straight openers.

Kershaw has dealt with left shoulder inflammation during camp and has yet to pitch in a game. The left-hander is scheduled to throw live batting practice Wednesday, but there are no plans in place after that.

The Dodgers are considering Walker Buehler and Rich Hill as opening day starters.

Extra innings: Braves RHP Julio Teheran is set to make his sixth straight start on opening day. The Braves said Teheran will face the Phillies on March 28 in Philadelphia. Teheran’s run ties Hall of Famer Warren Spahn (1957-62) for the longest in Braves franchise history during the modern era. Teheran is 1-1 with a 2.73 ERA on opening day.