PEORIA, Ariz. – Coach Mike Aldrete walked into the manager’s office and spoke a few words that delighted Bob Melvin.
“Ben wants to catch in the minor league game today,” Aldrete said.
That’s right, Ben Davis was asking for some extra work.
It has been a difficult month for both Davis and the Mariners’ hopes for him.
He came to spring training with an eye on the starting job at catcher, knowing he must improve his hitting to have a chance at unseating Dan Wilson. That never happened – Davis has just two hits in 30 at-bats, a .067 average – and he is back to being no more than a backup when the season begins Tuesday.
Along the way, he irked the team with questionable pitch calls and work habits that didn’t demonstrate a commitment to improvement.
“Maybe he’s saving his hits for the season,” Melvin quipped Tuesday. “He’s been under more scrutiny this spring and he’s been struggling offensively. But he’s been working his butt off defensively.”
It’s a different appraisal of Davis than a few weeks ago, when Melvin criticized his pitch calls in the media.
Melvin says Davis seems more devoted to his task now, and his request to catch in the minor league game was proof.
“I think he is,” Melvin said. “Just like this. I didn’t send him over to catch today; I just wanted him to get some at-bats. But he said he wanted to catch as well.”
Davis also took it upon himself earlier this month to get extra at-bats in a minor league game. There was another game when Davis had the day off, but he suited up and watched it from the dugout.
“He’s really taken it on himself to try to work a little harder, study a little harder and try to further where he’s going to be in his career,” Melvin said.
Owens cut: The decision on who makes the Mariners’ outfield is a numbers game, and Eric Owens didn’t have the right numbers.
The Mariners released the 33-year-old veteran Tuesday after he had batted .229 in 35 at-bats with two home runs and six RBI this month. On a team that needs versatility, there wasn’t room for the more one-dimensional Owens.
“I figured it might happen,” he said. “It was a numbers thing. I can’t complain.”
The Mariners made the move Tuesday to give Owens time to talk with other teams before the season begins.
“We wanted to give this guy a chance to get out there with a few days left (in spring training) rather than let him go at the last possible second,” Melvin said. “We had some guys emerge, like (Hiram) Bocachica, that we felt like are ahead of him. And with the kids we have in Triple A that we feel like need to play, this was the decision we came to.”
The move cut the Mariners’ major league camp to 35 players, including 29 on the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees. They must trim the roster to 25 by 7 p.m. Saturday.
Myers decision: The Mariners must decide whether or not to keep left-handed relief pitcher Mike Myers by 5 p.m. Friday, based on a clause written in the minor-league contract he signed.
Melvin said the Mariners probably would make a decision before the team leaves Friday for its two weekend exhibition games in San Diego.
“We’ll figure something out here,” Melvin said. “I don’t really want to tip my hand too much on that.”
Myers pitched a scoreless inning and a third Tuesday against the Cubs, leaving his exhibition ERA at 0.00 and doing nothing to separate himself from Terry Mulholland and Ron Villone.
Myers, Mulholland and Villone are competing for no more than two openings in the bullpen for left-handed relief (in addition to closer Eddie Guardado).
The decision may hinge on how the Mariners want to set up the pen.
Villone, who has a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings, is a long reliever who has had more success against right-handed hitters. He gives the Mariners the ability to use him as a starter as well as a reliever.
Mulholland, with a 3.14 ERA in 14 1/3 innings, is capable of starting as well, but he can be used in long relief or in setup as a specialist against left-handed hitters.
Myers is a left-handed specialist who typically pitches one inning per game.
Spiezio still down: Third baseman Scott Spiezio missed another game Tuesday because of his aching back, and it’s not certain that he’ll play today.
“He’s literally day-to-day,” Melvin said.
Spiezio left Saturday’s game against the Brewers when he felt pain in his back while running to first base, and he said the Mariners’ medical staff believed a vertebrae was slightly out of alignment.
“I’m almost positive it’s not a DL thing we’re looking at,” Melvin said. “But we have to be careful and make sure we have proper precautions and backup.”
Willie Bloomquist is Melvin’s first option as a backup at third base, although Dave Hansen and Ramon Santiago also have played there this month.
Final fling: Opening night starter Jamie Moyer will make his final spring training appearance today in a minor league game, pitching six or seven innings. He will start Tuesday night against the Angels at Safeco Field.
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