PEORIA, Ariz. — On the eve of today’s first full-squad workout for the Seattle Mariners, questions about left field became a focal point.
Controversial outfielder Milton Bradley, who goes into camp with no clearly defined role with the team, said he’s more than ready to win the job.
“Nobody can compete with me,” Bradley said.
Actually, they will.
Bradley and Michael Saunders are the most likely players for that position, although the Mariners also have veteran non-roster players Jody Gerut and Greg Gross in camp along with several minor league prospects. Bradley also may get at-bats at designated hitter, although Jack Cust goes into camp with that job.
Manager Eric Wedge said if Bradley can show he’s healthy in both mind and body, he could win the left field job.
“I think it’s safe to say that if he’s healthy, he can have the greatest impact for us out there,” Wedge said.
As for Saunders, Wedge said he and the coaches — especially hitting coach Chris Chambliss — must get a feel for what’s best for him.
“What we need to figure out is how is he going to be a part of this thing as we move forward, where we see him now and where he needs to be,” Wedge said. “We’ve already had some good conversations with him and now we need to watch him. Watch him take BP, watch him get involved with some of the other drills and once we get into the games we can tell a little bit more.”
Earlier in the day, Bradley made time for reporters but he laid down some specific ground rules on what they should and shouldn’t ask.
He wouldn’t talk about his personal life, including his arrest last month on suspicion of making criminal threats against a woman. Bradley and his wife are scheduled to meet March 9 with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office.
Bradley also said he wouldn’t talk about his right knee, which was surgically repaired last Aug. 17. Apparently, Bradley didn’t tell Wedge not to ask about the knee.
“The first thing I asked him was about his health,” Wedge said. “I wanted to make sure he feels good and is in a good place physically. We want to work hard and make sure we stay with him to keep him there. It’s a tough game. You look at good players who have some down times, more times than not there’s some sort of injury involved with that. It’s hard enough to play when you’re healthy much less when you’re a little bit banged up. Him being healthy will be a big plus for us.”
Bradley, who had a run-in with Wedge when they were together in 2004 with the Indians, said he’s the right manager for the Mariners this year.
“I’m glad he’s here,” Bradley said. “We needed the discipline. It got a little lax with things, the way they were going before.”
Bedard doesn’t throw
Friday was Erik Bedard’s day to throw in the bullpen, and when he didn’t a lot of antenna went up, particularly among those who are closely following Bedard’s comeback from shoulder surgery.
Wedge said nothing is wrong with Bedard, and that the team is being a little more careful with him. He said it was pitching coach Carl Willis’ idea to give Bedard the day off.
“We’re going to give all these guys a couple of days off. We’re just giving Erik his right now,” Wedge said. “His first two bullpens were really good and it’s a good time to give him a break. Let’s try to stay ahead of it.”
Bedard threw bullpens Monday and Wednesday.
Of note
There’s a 70 percent chance of rain today, and the Mariners were making alternate plans if the fields are too wet for practice. In that case, they’ll use the covered batting cage and bullpen areas. … Ichiro Suzuki arrived late Friday afternoon for his physical exam, and he was stylish as usual. He wore a sweatshirt with thin horizontal stripes, a backwards cap and jeans with the legs rolled up to flash some calf. … Shooting will begin Monday on five commercials featuring players and coaches. Marketing director Kevin Martinez wouldn’t divulge the themes of the commercials, but he did say Suzuki, Justin Smoak, Miguel Olivo, Chone Figgins, Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, Franklin Gutierrez, Felix Hernandez, Wedge and some coaches would take part. … While the Mariners worked out on the practice fields at the lower end of the complex, the organization’s mini-camp for 31 selected minor leaguers continued. Besides their drills on the fields, the mini-campers have made appearances around the community, and Friday there were five who spoke to students at a career-day function at a school in Peoria — Nate Tenbrink, George Mieses, Jimmy Gillheeney, Denny Almonte and Jabari Blash.
Read Kirby Arnold’s blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com/marinersblog and follow his Twitter updates on the team at @kirbyarnold
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