Suzuki Seeks Perfection

Seattle Mariners righthander Makoto Suzuki, now 22 and about to enter his seventh professional season, may be his own worst critic.

While Seattle coaches have said he seems to be throwing with more velocity than they remember him showing a year ago, Suzuki was studying his delivery in the video room a full two hours before workouts.

“I’d give myself a ‘C’ right now,” he said. Asked if he had ever given himself an “A,” Suzuki nodded. “A long time ago,” he said. The Japanese native will probably open the season in Tacoma’s rotation.

“Makoto is hard on himself,” pitching coach Nardi Contreras said. “That’s OK as long as you turn it into a positive.”