Mariners notebook: Sunday cuts and Wednesday returns

PEORIA, Ariz. – As expected the Mariners have made a few cuts following their final split squad day of the spring.

Pitchers Mike Morin, Shawn Armstrong and Art Warren and outfielder John Andreoli have been reassigned to minor league camp.

Marco Gonzales, Ryon Healy take big steps in returns from injury

Earlier this month Morin and Armstrong were removed from the 40-man roster after clearing waivers. While they won’t break camp with the big league club, they do become part of the all important pitching depth.

“They are two guys that are out of (minor league) options,” manager Scott Servais pointed out. “I’m glad to have both of those guys in our organization. I think they will definitely help us at some point.”

As for Warren, a successful Arizona Fall League campaign earned him an invite and the opportunity to work with and be seen by the major league coaches. Having not played above High-A there is still work to be done, but like a number of other relievers we have seen in this organization, he could move fast.

“I thought he showed very well early in camp,” Servais said. “The last couple of outings maybe the dead arm, he’s a young player, maybe not quite as sharp as he was early, but I thought he showed very well in camp.”

With the moves there are now 40 players remaining in major league camp.

Lineup! vs. Cleveland

Guillermo Heredia, CF
Mitch Haniger, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Ryon Healy, 1B
Mike Ford, DH
Mike Marjama, C
Taylor Motter, SS
Ian Miller, LF
Zach Vincej, 2B

Rob Whalen, RHP

Also scheduled to pitch: Juan Nicasio, Nick Vincent, Edwin Diaz, Mike Morin, Ryan Cook.

Notes

• Servais confirmed again Sunday morning the team would most likely start the season with four in the rotation, 13 position players and eight relievers in the bullpen.

• Wednesday is still the target day for Nelson Cruz (quad), Robinson Cano (hamstring), Ichiro (calf) and Andrew Romine (shoulder) to return. Ichiro could get at-bats in minor league games before then.

• Felix Hernandez and James Paxton will pitch in minor league games, most likely Double-A and Triple-A, against the Padres Monday at 1 p.m.

• Hisashi Iwakuma remains on schedule to throw his first bullpen since shoulder surgery late next week. Servais said that we are likely looking at a late-May, early-June return for Iwakuma, which would mean they are going to take it extremely slow with the veteran right-hander.

Possible rotation twists for M’s with Felix, Erasmo