Moyer Could Be Lost To Rotation With Ailing Arm

They went searching for an answer Monday and found only more questions - not the kind of day the Seattle Mariners hoped for with just a week remaining before opening night.

Once Bob Wolcott was hammered by the San Diego Padres, the Mariners not only failed to come up with the fifth starter in their rotation, they learned they might have lost a starter in that rotation, Jamie Moyer. Moyer pitched in a minor-league game Sunday, and by Monday morning had what the team described as “stiffness in the left forearm,” and was undergoing treatment.

Considering Moyer was scheduled to start the second game of the regular season, his condition was being closely monitored.

“We really don’t know what will happen if Jamie’s not ready,” pitching coach Nardi Contreras said. “And we’d hoped that someone - Bob Wolcott, Dennis Martinez, even Salomon Torres - would grab the fifth spot, but that hasn’t happened. It’s a battle that no one is winning.”

Camp notes

Scoring three runs in the ninth inning and two more in the 10th, the Mariners caught and then beat the Padres, 14-12. … For two relievers having rough springs, it got rougher Monday: Rafael Carmona gave up four hits and three runs in two innings, Bobby Ayala gave up two runs in one inning. … When the Mariners play Milwaukee in Peoria, Ariz., today, they will go over the 100,000 spring-training attendance mark for the first time in their 21-year history. … Manager Lou Piniella had rectal surgery for a second time in Phoenix. It is unknown when he will return to manage.

Bonds sale postponed

The King County Council agreed to delay the sale of $336 million in Mariners’ ballpark bonds, at least until later this week, in hopes the interest picture will stabilize.

Councilman Christopher Vance said county officials will watch a Federal Reserve meeting today to get a clue about the direction of bond interest rates and then decide when to seek council approval of the sale.

The bonds are part of a financing package for the planned $414 million retractable-roof ballpark.

Ballpark opponents will file an appeal today with the state Supreme Court, Chris Van Dyk of Citizens for More Important Things said. The Supreme Court gave the group until April 14 to appeal a lower court decision that said the project is legal and wouldn’t require a public vote.