Richie Sexson is eager to jump into the batting cage and continue to show that his left shoulder is fine.
“It feels great and I’m ready to go,” he said Saturday, soon after he walked into the Mariners’ clubhouse for the first time. “I’m probably in the best shape I’ve ever been.”
Sexson missed most of last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks after he injured his shoulder on a checked swing. Sexson said he has paid more attention to his core muscles and cardiovascular conditioning this offseason than he has in the past.
“He’s a strong man,” Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said. “He was strong when I had him in Cleveland, but he was a skinny big kid then. He has really developed in his chest.”
The Mariners signed Sexson to a five-year, $50 million contract in the offseason in an effort to beef up their power hitting. Sexson said he doesn’t feel any pressure to perform despite the big money or high expectations of his impact to the offense.
“It’s still a baseball game, whether you’re making 300 grand or 20 million,” he said. “You just go out and play. You don’t put any added pressure on yourself other than what people put on you. Nothing changes from the amount of money that you make.”
Campillo throws: Mexican pitcher Jorge Campillo threw in the bullpen for the first time Saturday and impressed Hargrove, even though he threw nothing but fastballs and changeups.
“Nice motion. Good changeup, good movement,” Hargrove said.
That’s about all a manager can see at this point in spring training.
“You don’t start evaluating until you’re well into the games,” Hargrove said. “Now, you’re looking for people to have solid mechanics and work on the arm strength as much as anything.”
Campillo remains unsigned until he can receive a P1 visa, which allows entertainers, artists and athletes to work in the United States. He can work out with the team but can’t pitch in any games.
When Campillo’s visa is finalized and his contract becomes official, the Mariners are expected to make room for him on the 40-man roster by placing injured pitcher Travis Blackley on the 60-day disabled list. Blackley will be out at least a year after having surgery on a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
Of note: Sexson said he plans to continue a charitable program he has maintained at other stops in his career by giving 50 to 75 tickets for each game to kids under 18 with cancer. … The oldest player in camp is 42-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer and the youngest 18-year-old righty Felix Hernandez. Hernandez won’t be the youngest for long. Tuesday, when the position players join the workouts, that label will be worn by Matt Tuiasosopo, whose 19th birthday is May 10, 32 days after Hernandez’s. … While Hargrove said the rain hasn’t affected the pitchers’ work, it will be a problem on Tuesday when the full squad conducts its first workout. … Hargrove said he will stretch out at least seven starting pitchers who he’ll look at for the rotation.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
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