Bradley ready to compete for job with Mariners

PEORIA, Ariz. – Milton Bradley wasn’t touching questions Friday about his recent legal troubles, electing instead to focus solely on baseball. On that subject, he was much more forthcoming.

Bradley said after his workout that he’s not fazed by having to compete for a starting job this year.

“I always play like it’s my last game anyway. Every pitch, every moment means the world to me, so I’m not going to take any different approach from that,” Bradley said. “Nobody can compete with me when I’m … at my best, and they pay me a lot of money because I can play.”

The Mariners picked Bradley up in a trade last offseason and have stuck with him through troubled times.

Bradley spent two weeks away from the team last May to deal with emotional issues. He went on the disabled list in July with a torn meniscus in his right knee that required arthroscopic surgery, and never played again last season. He finished with a .205 batting average with eight home runs and 29 RBIs in 73 games.

Last month, Bradley was arrested in Los Angeles on a domestic violence allegation.

Bradley’s attorney, Harland Braun, released a statement through the Mariners last week that Bradley would not be charged. But the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office says it’s not an absolute that he won’t be. A determination will be made after a meeting next month between Bradley and prosecutors.

Bradley has been advised not to discuss the issue, and he didn’t on Friday.

“It just feels good to be around the guys,” said Bradley, who has one year left on a three-year, $30 million contract. “Baseball is the easy part, I guess.”

Mariners manager Eric Wedge, who was with Bradley in Cleveland in 2003, said he and Bradley have spoken.

“I see him at left field and DH both,” Wedge said. “Jack (Cust) is obviously going to get the bulk of the time at DH spot, but with Milton being a switch-hitter, that helps him.”

Michael Saunders, whom the team has given previous chances to take over the position, is Bradley’s main competition in left field, but Wedge will take a long look at nonroster invitees Gabe Gross and Jody Gerut, among others.

“We’ll be able to play it out in camp as such with the games to where we’ll be able to give considerable playing time to everybody,” Wedge said.

Wedge stopped short of naming a favorite for the job.

“It’s safe to say that if he’s healthy, he can have the greatest impact for us out there,” Wedge said of Bradley.