Mariners’ roster decisions on hold

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners’ game of roster roulette has gotten serious, and while multiple scenarios remain alive, it seems clear at least one player will take an unfortunate hit in the next few days.

The Mariners must trim the roster to 25 by Sunday night, the eve of their season opener, and the team runs a serious risk of losing either a pitcher or position player to another team.

Because of that, manager John McLaren said the Mariners probably wouldn’t have their roster set before they leave Arizona today for their final three exhibitions in San Francisco and Las Vegas.

“I would say probably not,” McLaren said. “But we’ll be close.”

The Mariners took a step toward that Wednesday by telling relief pitchers Arthur Rhodes and Chris Reitsma, both in the final stages of recovery from elbow surgery, that they wouldn’t be on the opening-day roster.

It leaves eight pitchers still in line for no more than seven spots in the bullpen, and how the Mariners deal with that could determine the makeup of their bench.

Currently, the bullpen consists of closer J.J. Putz, right-handed setup men Brandon Morrow, Sean Green and Mark Lowe, left-handed specialist Eric O’Flaherty, left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith and right-handed long relievers R.A. Dickey and Cha Seung Baek.

Because Morrow’s spring training was interrupted by a tight shoulder and Lowe is coming back from elbow surgery, there’s no guarantee they will start the season. The Mariners could open with Morrow at Class AAA Tacoma in order to build his arm strength and/or Lowe on the disabled list and have him build arm strength like Rhodes.

However, Lowe provided perhaps the best example that he’s ready with his performance Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a fastball that reached 95 mph. The Mariners covet velocity like that in the late innings.

If both Morrow and Lowe start the season on the roster, it jeopardizes Dickey, Baek or Rowland-Smith, and perhaps two of those three if the Mariners choose to start with an 11-man pitching staff instead of 12.

Dickey is a Rule 5 draft pick who the Mariners must offer back to the Twins if he doesn’t make the roster, and Baek is out of minor league options and would be exposed to other teams via the waiver process. Rowland-Smith has options, but he’s pitched well all month and would be a welcomed second left-hander in the bullpen.

If the Mariners open with an 11-man pitching staff, it clears room for one additional bench player.

On the bench, infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist and infielder Miguel Cairo are locks to make the team, as is backup catcher Jamie Burke.

The bench bubble is comprised of infielder/outfielder Mike Morse, first baseman/pinch hitter Greg Norton and outfielder Jeremy Reed. Morse is out of minor league options while Reed, who has an option remaining, has been mentioned in trade rumors. Norton signed a minor league contract and could be cut loose.

McLaren said he, the coaching staff and front office have discussed roster scenarios almost nonstop the past two days.

“There’s some important decisions and I feel like we’re going to make the right ones and put everybody in a good position March 31,” McLaren said. “It’s not only about making important decisions, it’s about making the right decisions.”

All current scenarios could blow up if there’s a last-minute acquisition, which general manager Bill Bavasi has done every year just before opening day.

Last year he traded pitcher Travis Blackley to the Giants for backup outfielder Jason Ellison. Two years ago, it was catcher Guillermo Quiroz, claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2005, he claimed infielder Wilson Valdez off waivers from the Mets after the failed attempt to make Pokey Reese the team’s shortstop. In 2004, Bavasi traded away two pitchers (Aaron Looper and Ryan Ketchner) to the Dodgers for veteran utility player Jolbert Cabrera.

Homers, reporters badger Bedard: Opening-day starter Erik Bedard ended his first spring training in Arizona by giving up two more home runs, then hardly any insight as to how ready he is for the regular season.

Former Mariner Miguel Olivo and Jason Smith each homered in the second inning off Bedard, who allowed nine home runs in his six exhibition starts.

After his six innings of work, Bedard offered little when questioned by reporters.

What did you want to get done in your last outing? “I didn’t have a plan. I just went out there and threw strikes.”

Did you throw as many curveballs as you normally do? “I don’t know. In a spring game? Today?”

No, overall this spring. “Same.”

What is your sense of anticipation going into season opener? “None.”

So it’s just another game? “Yeah.”

How do you do that? “I don’t know. I just do.”

Has this been a typical spring for you? “Same. I feel good. My arm feels good. That’s all you can ask for. Stay healthy.”

What sort of responsibility do you feel at the top of the rotation? “I have no idea. I don’t have any.”

You don’t have any idea? Or you don’t have any responsibility? “No responsibility.”

What’s your preparation like the day of or day before the game? “Nothing’s changed. I do whatever. Joke around a little. I don’t have any preparation.”

So you’ll be the same guy we saw this spring? “Yep.”

The stuff you had today, do you want to take that into the opener? “Four runs, six innings? No.”

How do you turn that around? “I don’t know, we’ll see when the game starts. I’ll figure it out as we go.”

The results haven’t been there, but have you felt comfortable? “I feel fine.”

Finally, after the questioning ended, Bedard left reporters with a final thought: “That was painful.”

Movement: Despite all the news surrounding Arthur Rhodes and Chris Reitsma, the Mariners made only one official roster move on Wednesday.

They optioned left-handed pitcher Ryan Feierabend to Class AAA Tacoma. Feierabend had come to camp hoping to win a place in the bullpen. He went 1-0 with a 4.15 ERA in six exhibition outings, and allowed eight hits and three runs in four innings of his last game Saturday against the Rangers.

McLaren said that right-handed pitcher Roy Corcoran and infielder Tug Hulett also were being sent down, although the club made no official announcement.

Of note: Mariners fans got their first spring training look at highly regarded infield prospect Carlos Truinfel, who played the final four innings at shortstop and hit a sacrifice fly in his only at-bat. … Mike Morse went 2-for-4 with two strikeouts, putting his spring batting average at .518…. Among visitors to the Peoria Sports Complex on Wednesday were the Budweiser Clydesdales, who pulled their gleaming red wagon — complete with a Dalmatian atop the cases of beer — down the street in front of the Mariners’ offices.

Read Kirby Arnold’s blog on the Mariners at www.heraldnet.com

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