Mariners notebook: Familiar face Joe Saunders returns

There had been rumblings for a couple of days but the Mariners made it official Friday, signing Joe Saunders to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Saunders put up a 5.26 ERA in 32 starts with the Mariners in 2013 and pitched for Texas and Baltimore last year, putting up even worse numbers. He will be looking at a different role, however, as the Mariners will give him a chance to compete for a spot in the bullpen where they are still looking for a second lefty.

Today is the first day of workouts for pitchers and catchers. These workout days are shorter than game days. Typically the group will take the field for warmups and catch, then half the group will throw bullpens in three smaller groups. Those not throwing will work on PFP – pitchers fielding practice (riveting and sometimes humorous stuff) – and then the pitchers will condition and the catchers will hit. Lloyd McClendon works the guys hard but tries to get the work in quickly, which gives the guys most of the afternoon off until games start, which is nice for the players and sometimes the reporters if it is a slow news day.

Speaking of news, and again I will not be there until Wednesday, all three beat reporters have seen Willie Bloomquist working out and he tells them he believes he will be ready for Opening Day. While he is coming off a very significant surgery it is the second time he has had micro fracture surgery so he has been there done that and with pretty good results. Perhaps he can do it again.

The big thing with Willie that could have impact on the rest of the roster is whether he can play shortstop. If he can, great. If he can’t the Mariners will most likely have to put the loser of the shortstop battle on the 25-man roster until Bloomquist can play the position. Something to watch this spring.

Related

Mariners Injury Updates: Vargas’ rehab, notes on J.P. and moreReport: CB Terrion Arnold, who is facing 8 felony charges, plans to join SeahawksMariners to option rookie shortstop Colt Emerson to Triple-APereda’s ABS challenges prove huge in Mariners’ tight win over YankeesNFC West Check-In: Status updates on Rams’ Puka Nacua, Myles GarrettRecap: Mariners beat Yankees 1-0 to snap 6-game losing streak