PEORIA, Ariz. _ Luis Sojo visited the Seattle Mariners’ spring training complex Wednesday, and it wasn’t just a trip down memory lane for one of the heroes from 1995.
Sojo will manage the Venezuela team next month in the World Baseball Classic and he came essentially on a recruiting trip. The Mariners have five players who are on Venezuela’s provisional WBC roster — pitchers Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva and Cesar Jimenez, second baseman Jose Lopez and outfielder Endy Chavez.
The 28-man roster must be set Feb. 22 and the team will work out for the first time March 2 in Lakeland, Fla.
“There are a lot of question marks on the Venezuelan team,” Sojo said. “When we talk to them over there (in Venezuela) they say they want to play. But when they get over here it’s a different story. Guys want to play for their country but they are here trying to make their (major league) teams.”
There’s no question about Hernandez’s commitment to the team.
“I’m excited,” Hernandez said. “I’m going to be proud to represent my country. It’s a great tournament and it will be great to be a part of it.”
The ailing and the missing
On the first day of full-squad workouts, the Mariners weren’t a full squad Wednesday. Shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt had a tight hamstring and was held out of most drills, and two others hadn’t arrived in camp.
Outfielder Wladimir Balentien, of Curaco, had visa problems and manager Don Wakamatsu wasn’t sure when he would arrive.
First baseman Mike Carp was involved in an auto accident while driving from Southern California. He wasn’t hurt.
Wakamatsu said third baseman Adrian Beltre’s surgically repaired left shoulder is tight, although it didn’t limit him from any drills. The Mariners have told Beltre to be careful with it.
Betancourt felt his hamstring tighten up early this week while fielding ground balls.
“We’re going to evaluate him (today) and see where he’s at,” Wakamatsu said.
Betancourt did stand in the batter’s box when the Mariners’ pitchers threw to hitters for the first time. The hitters were ordered not to swing, which might have been a challenge to the often-impatient Betancourt.
“I told him that it was the first time I had seen him take five pitches in a row,” Wakamatsu said.
Ready to shoot
Crews will shoot three of the Mariners’ TV commercials today and Friday in Peoria. When the Mariners unveil their annual package mid-March, they’ll reach a milestone with the 100th spot.
This year’s commercials will include Ichiro Suzuki, Felix Hernandez, Ryan Rowland-Smith and Wakamatsu. The 100th commercial will feature former stars Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner looking back through the glory years.
The Mariners will have two giveaway nights this season, July 10 and July 20, when they’ll give away DVDs containing the commercials.
Of note
Wakamatsu said there’s no plan to play Jose Lopez at first base in exhibition games, although that may change depending on his success at second base. Russell Branyan will get most of the time at first. “Initially,” Wakamatsu said. … The Mariners added a much-needed catcher Wednesday when they invited minor league catcher Israel Nunez to the major league camp. Kenji Johjima (WBC) and Luis Oliveros (knee) are out, and the Mariners are being careful not to overwork Jeff Clement (coming off knee surgery). … Among youngsters who’ve made a positive early impression is right-handed reliever Shawn Kelley, who had a 2.11 ERA last year at Class AA West Tennessee.
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