A daily look at the Seattle Mariners in spring training:
Thursday in camp
Pitchers and catchers worked out for the first time, and everyone who was expected to throw off the mounds did so except 18-year-old Felix Hernandez. Because of a miscommunication, Hernandez had thrown in the bullpen on Wednesday. He’s scheduled to throw again today.
After the pitchers finished their work, catchers and early arriving position players took batting practice. Among the position players already here are infielders Yuniesky Betancourt, Willie Bloomquist, Bucky Jacobsen, Adam Jones, Justin Leone, Michael Morse and Matt Tuiasosopo, and outfielders Shin-soo Choo, Jeremy Reed, Chris Snelling, Jamal Strong and Randy Winn.
Today in camp
Same schedule, with pitchers and catchers beginning their on-field work at 8 a.m. (PST). Most of the pitchers who threw Thursday will return to the bullpen today.
On the trainer’s table
There may be a few aches and pains after the first day of practice, but the Mariners made it through without any injuries. The only pitchers who didn’t throw in the bullpen because of injuries were right-handers Rafael Soriano (elbow ligament surgery) and Aaron Looper (elbow nerve surgery).
Weather report
Clouds moved overhead Thursday afternoon and rain is forecast for today, with a high of 65 degrees. In case of rain, the Mariners probably will move their pitchers to the covered bullpen areas near the clubhouse.
They said it
“You look for guys who showed up in shape so you can know how much you can push them. And you look for the ones who are out of shape so you can know how much you can kill them.”
Mariners manager Mike Hargrove on the first day of spring training.
They did it
When the Mariners played catch to loosen up before their workout, the first wild throw came from the man who’s been working on that – among numerous other elements of his game – all offseason.
Catcher Miguel Olivo air-mailed his partner, fellow catcher Wiki Gonzalez. In all, Gonzalez had to chase down four of Olivo’s wild throws during their five minutes of throwing.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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