PEORIA, Ariz. – Manager Mike Hargrove spent the first three days of spring training doing what he equated with watching paint dry. He observed Seattle Mariners pitchers throwing in the bullpen and running defensive drills.
He got a treat Sunday on Day 4.
Some of the heavy hitters came out for batting practice on the eve of their official reporting day.
Left fielder Raul Ibanez, third baseman Adrian Beltre, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and right fielder Jose Guillen took their hacks, and Hargrove planted himself against the backstop and watched with keen interest.
“It’s nice to see them swing a bat and see where they are with their swings,” Hargrove said.
And how did they look? Not always pretty.
“I get real uneasy when a guy gets into the cage the first day and is hitting balls out of the ballpark,” Hargrove said.
Instead of batting-practice home runs, Hargrove is more interested in the basics of the swing. Is the hitter over-striding? Is he using his hands?
“You’ll go through a period for the next two weeks having your swing for three days, and all of a sudden the fourth day it’s like you haven’t picked up a bat in your life,” Hargrove said. “It’ll probably be mid-spring training before you start feeling like you’re dialed in, or getting there. It’s different for everyone. Some guys get it and keep it. The trick is not losing it at the end of spring training.”
Lowe report: This could be a landmark day for Mark Lowe – and the Mariners – in the right-handed pitcher’s recovery from elbow surgery.
Lowe will have his right elbow examined today in Tempe, Ariz., by Dr. Lewis Yocum, who operated on him in October. Lowe has made steady progress in rehab the past few weeks and, if he gets a good report today, could begin a throwing program soon.
Of note: Outfielder Adam Jones took a long look at third baseman Adrian Beltre’s glove, which has the flag of the Dominican Republic stitched on the thumb. “You like this flag?” Beltre asked. “I like the one with 50 stars better,” Jones said. … Today is reporting day for position players, although most of them have been here for days, if not weeks. Of the regulars, only center fielder Ichiro Suzuki and first baseman Richie Sexson hadn’t arrived. The first full-squad workout is Tuesday. … The Mariners have scheduled two intrasquad games before the exhibition season begins March 1. They’ll play at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 27 and 11:15 a.m. Feb. 28, both on a practice field at their training facility.
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