Seattle ? If Rickey Henderson wants more playing time, he’s not going to get it with the Boston Red Sox.

“We’re going to do the same things we’ve been doing,” Red Sox manager Grady Little said before Friday night’s game against the Seattle Mariners. “You have to respect Rickey Henderson. If he feels he wants more than that, he might have to make a change.”

The 43-year-old outfielder rejoined the team Friday, one day after being granted permission to go to Arizona following Thursday’s game in Oakland. Henderson, who holds the major league record for career stolen bases, was not in the starting lineup Friday night.

Henderson is earning $350,000 on a one-year contract. He has complained about his playing time and his contract, and has threatened to leave the team.

Henderson brushed off questions about his situation before batting practice Friday, referring them to Boston interim general manager Mike Port.

But Henderson did say, “I’m not happy. I can’t be happy.”

Port said he had no idea about the degree of Henderson’s unhappiness, nor its cause.

“I can’t profess to tell you what Rickey might be thinking, what might be going through his mind,” Port said.

Port said Henderson asked for permission to go to Arizona after Thursday’s game “some time ago” and the team had granted that permission.

“Everything is status quo,” he said.

Port and Little have met to discuss Henderson’s situation.

“As great a player as Rickey is and as much as I like Rickey, there are times that I am at a loss as to what he might be contemplating,” Port said.

Little pointed out the Red Sox (24-7) had the best record in baseball heading into Friday night’s game. They took a nine-game winning streak into the three-game weekend series at Seattle.

Henderson played in 14 of Boston’s first 31 games, hitting .268 (11-for-41) with one home run and three RBIs. He’s the fourth outfielder on the roster, and the Red Sox are only carrying four.

“He’s been around a long time,” Little said. “He can do what he wants to do. We’ve got a good thing going right here and you’d think everybody would want to be a part of it. I think Rickey does.”

Henderson signed a major league contract March 31, the day before the Red Sox opened their season. He had signed a minor league deal with Boston on Feb. 13.

Henderson played in his 2,993rd game Wednesday night in Oakland, passing Willie Mays for eighth place on the career list. Next up is Cal Ripken at 3,001 games.

Henderson hit his 80th career leadoff homer April 27, extending his major league record.