Appier still in camp … for now

  • By Kirby Arnold / Herald Writer
  • Friday, March 24, 2006 9:00pm
  • Sports

PEORIA, Ariz. – The Seattle Mariners brought Fernando Vina, Dave Burba and Kevin Appier to camp hoping to catch a last bit of lightning from at least one of the veterans.

Friday, only Appier remained.

The Mariners released both Vina and Burba, ending their attempts to return to the major leagues with the team they broke in with in the early 1990s.

Vina, a rookie with the M’s in 1993, never fully recovered from a strained right hip flexor early in camp that ruined his chance to compete for the second base job. He played just five games, hitting .093 and making one error at second base.

Burba, who played his first full season with the M’s in 1991, was trying to win a role in the bullpen. Health wasn’t an issue, but he had a 16.20 earned run average in three exhibition games.

“They told me coming in that I had a very small opportunity to make the team,” Burba said. “They gave me the opportunity and I’m thankful for that. I came in here and had fun and enjoyed the experience. Now I’m going home.”

Burba, 39, hopes to land with another team but knows from recent experience that the chances are slim. He hasn’t played in the major leagues since 2004 with the Giants, and last year pitched 18 games for Class AAA Round Rock before the Astros released him June 2.

“Somebody might have seen something and say, ‘Hey, he’s still got it’ or ‘We could use him in our bullpen.’ You never know,” Burba said. “Not all the doors are slammed shut just yet. But I’m not going to hold my breath on anything. I pretty much accepted that baseball was basically over for me when I went home with Round Rock. Nobody called then, and that’s when I basically accepted that my career probably was over.”

Burba said he wouldn’t pitch in the minor leagues without a guarantee that he would make it to the majors.

“I’m 39 and my kids are 12, 10 and 4. They’ve had a part-time dad,” he said. “If baseball is not going to be the major leagues, then it’s time for me to come home and assume my responsibility as a father.”

Vina, 37, left the Mariners’ complex without comment.

Moyer magnificent: One day after he was named the Mariners’ opening-day starter Jamie Moyer pitched a midseason-like gem Friday.

He held the White Sox to one hit, two walks and a hit batter in six scoreless innings, lowering his exhibition earned run average to 2.40. Moyer pitched to just one hitter over the minimum, getting double-play grounders in the second and third innings after walks.

Mariners starting pitchers have given up 19 earned runs in the past 601/3 innings, including Felix Hernandez’s five-inning, one-run outing Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

“Jamie’s outing, to go along with what Hernandez did last night, has to make you feel good,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “We’ve just got to continue to do that. It’s been a good camp up to now and it’s not time to relax. We’ve got to keep this going.”

Appier update: Appier survived on the day veterans Vina and Burba were cut, although time and his sore right leg aren’t helping his chances to stay with the Mariners.

He threw 60 pitches in the bullpen two days ago but said Friday that he still isn’t close to pitching in games.

“It feels fine when I pitch,” he said. “But I can’t run on it.”

Sherrill sore, not scared: This has never been the best month of the year for George Sherrill, and he’s OK with that as long as things get better.

Sherrill is the Mariners’ leading candidate to win the left-handed setup job in the bullpen despite an unimpressive 16.50 ERA in five outings and a recent stiff shoulder.

“I’m 0-for-3 on springs and I’m not worried about it,” said Sherrill, who had a 5.40 ERA in 2005 and an 8.10 ERA in 2004. “It’s something I’ve struggled with, but to me, spring is spring, and the reason we have it is to get ready.”

Compounding Sherrill’s month is shoulder stiffness that developed this week. He had to miss his last scheduled outing but says he’ll be ready to pitch next week.

“The timing could be better, but it happens,” he said.

Of note: A breaking pitch got away from Moyer in the third inning, and before it reached White Sox hitter Scott Podsednik, Moyer yelled, “Watch out!” Too late. The pitch hit Podsednik on his right arm. … Joel Pineiro will pitch today in a minor league game. … Relief pitcher Julio Mateo returned to the Mariners on Friday after being at home in the Dominican Republic for nearly two weeks because of the death of his older brother. Mateo will pitch an inning today against the Athletics, his first outing since March 7. … Mariners infielder Greg Dobbs missed Friday’s game because of a bruised jaw, the result of a ground ball that hit him in the face Thursday. … About 7,000 tickets remain available for the April 3 season opener at Safeco Field against the Los Angeles Angels.

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