Notes: Meche to miss start, maybe more

03/05/2006
PEORIA, Ariz. -- Gil Meche cruised through his one inning of last Tuesday's intrasquad game, but one of his last pitches ended up costing him at least one spring start.
On that pitch, which was hit for a single by Matt Lawton, the right-handed starter said he felt a twinge of pain in his left side as he strode off the mound.
It was diagnosed as an oblique strain, and Meche tried to work through it, throwing a bullpen session and playing catch as recently as Friday, but the strain persisted.
The team's training staff decided to back off, and the plan right now is for Meche to not touch a ball for three days. He will be re-evaluated after that and could begin throwing again if everything checks out. The best-case scenario would most likely have him out of games until Saturday.
"It doesn't hurt, but it's soreness," Meche said. "It's something they want me to take my time with."
Head trainer Rick Griffin said oblique strains can often be tricky and sometimes end up being injuries that keep players out for months. He said Meche's situation isn't nearly that serious right now, which is why the team is taking the conservative approach.
"We're not going to take any chances," Griffin said. "He can do a lot of things right now. Gil was able to throw a bullpen at about 70 percent and felt OK. That's a good sign."
Meche said Sunday that he's already starting to feel better. He said his pool work was a lot easier than it was even two days ago.
"I want to get on the mound," Meche said.
"But if I try to get out there and push it and end up tearing or ripping something, it'll end up being bad."
Washburn wings it: Jarrod Washburn, the Mariners' $37.5 million man, made his first appearance of the spring, starting Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres and tossing two innings of two-hit, one-run ball. Washburn walked two batters and struck out two.
"I don't put much stock in how I do in Spring Training," Washburn said. "I don't want to get crushed, but the important thing is to build arm strength and stamina. ... I really didn't want to walk two guys, but it happens."
Washburn worked with Kenji Johjima for the first time and walked away impressed with the catcher's skills behind the plate.
"We worked well together," Washburn said. "I didn't shake too much. He seems to have his head in the game and he knew what I wanted to do out there."
Carvajal to start? Right-hander Marcos Carvajal, who came over from the Colorado Rockies in the Yorvit Torrealba trade in December, is slated for a three-inning outing in Tuesday's game.
Manager Mike Hargrove said the team is considering using Carvajal as a starter, although the 21-year-old has started only five games in his pro career and none since 2002 in the Gulf Coast League. Carvajal made 39 relief appearances for Colorado last year.
"Three innings is a natural progression for any pitcher in the spring," Hargrove said. "But we're looking at him as a possible starter."
Ichiro update: Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, currently leading off for the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic, went 1-for-3 with a walk in Japan's 3-2 loss to Korea on Saturday night. He finished the first round 3-for-13 (.231) with three runs and hit safely in all three games.
Japan and Korea, the teams that advanced from the Asian pool, were 2-1 in the first round. Both teams will train in Peoria beginning next week, with Ichiro and Japan playing the Mariners in an exhibition game Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. in Peoria Stadium. Clint Nageotte will start for the Mariners and will be followed by Luis Gonzalez, Dave Burba and Emiliano Fruto.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Ichiro when they get here," Hargrove said. "It'll be nice to see him."
Mariners log: Reliever J.J. Putz (lower back spasms) threw a 41-pitch bullpen session and reported no pain after using his entire repertoire. Putz is set for a one-inning stint in Wednesday afternoon's game against the San Francisco Giants. ... Catcher Rob Johnson (lower back spasms) has been "turned loose," according to Hargrove. Johnson was set to catch bullpen sessions Sunday and could appear in Monday's game against the Brewers. ... Second baseman Fernando Vina (strained hip flexor) is still "a few days away," Hargrove said. ... Left-hander Cesar Jimenez has a mild strain of the left hamstring but is scheduled to throw a bullpen Monday. ... Left-hander Bobby Livingston was out Sunday because of a stiff neck. ... Outfielder Wladimir Balentien has a strained right hamstring but will continue to participate in workouts, although he's currently not available for games. ... Washburn has been taking heat from teammates over Willie Bloomquist's career numbers against him (11-for-23, two doubles, a triple, two walks and two RBIs), so Washburn used Bloomquist's bat in pitchers' batting practice. "I know this thing's got a lot of hits in it," Washburn said. "They're all off me."
Coming up: The Mariners stay home Monday to take on the Milwaukee Brewers in Peoria Stadium at 1:05 p.m. Arizona time, or 12:05 p.m. PT. Livingston is scheduled to start, but his neck condition could change things. Livingston was scheduled to be followed by Kevin Appier, Matt Thornton, Jake Woods and George Sherrill. Regulars slated to be in the lineup include Jeremy Reed, Yuniesky Betancourt, Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson, Carl Everett, Jose Lopez and Johjima.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/