11:55 A.M. UPDATE: The Mariners have just optioned left-handed pitcher Ryan Feiereabend to Class AAA Tacoma. Manager John McLaren also said pitcher Roy Corcoran and infielder Tug Hulett would be sent down, although Feierabend is the only official roster move so far.
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The scene in the Mariners’ clubhouse a few minutes ago said it all about the wrenching events that take place in the final days before the regular season begins.
Chris Reitsma, still in his street clothes while others were dressed in their workout gear, was getting well-wishes and handshakes from his Mariners teammates.
The Mariners decided to send Reitsma, who is coming back from elbow surgery last summer, down to the minor league camp to continue what has been an impressive comeback. They’re doing the same with Arthur Rhodes, who’s throwing the ball well and will go with the team to San Francisco and Las Vegas this weekend to continue his work.
I just spoke with Rhodes as he came off the practice field, and he’s fine with the Mariners’ decision.
“When I hear it, it’s tough,” he said. ” But in my situation, with Tommy John, they say it’ll be a year when I’m healthy. I’m still ahead of schedule. They don’t want me to push myself too much. I’d rather come back here and throw some back-to-back games and see how I feel.”
No official roster moves have been made; only that the players involved were informed of the club’s plans for them. While Rhodes is agreeable to it; Reitsma isn’t sure.
Reitsma signed a minor league contract with the Mariners after weighing other offers over the winter. He said earlier this month that he owed it to the Mariners and their fans to come back and give a return on their investment after an injury plagued 2007 season. Now he’s not sure what he wants to do, although he has few options. He can’t refuse an assignment to the minor leagues, although he certainly can request his release and shop hmself around. The Mariners are under no obligation to grant that.
Rhodes said he hoped to speak with Reitsma this evening and convince him that following the Mariners’ plan for him is in his best interest.
Reitsma pitched well at spring training but he also was knocked around. He seemed strong in early exhibitions, breaking bats and getting hitters out. More recently, the hitters were getting to him —nine hits and five earned runs in his past three outings, including a minor league intrasquad game. The Mariners believe he can help them, but that he needs more work and they don’t want to rush him and risk another injury.
He hadn’t pitched in back-to-back games yet and, even though the Mariners said the past three days that he would get that opportunity, it never happened.
Of the three “rehab relievers” who began the major league camp with the M’s, Mark Lowe is all who remains. There’s still no guarantee he’ll be on the team when the season begins Monday, although his scoreless inning today against the Royals was an impressive statement. His fastball hit 95 mph on the stadium gun, and nobody turns down an opportunity to use that in the late innings as long as he has control along with the velocity.
The Mariners are sorting through some complex issues in putting together their bullpen this month, and Reitsma and Rhodes became the first of more to come.
This doesn’t mean it’s the end for Reitsma with the Mariners, but he’s taking some time to think about what to do next. The scene in the clubhouse this morning said it all.
So did the lonely walk Reitsma made into the parking lot, carrying his Mariners equipment bag, before he drove away.
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