Dominic Leone surprised by demotion despite poor spring

PEORIA, Ariz. – Reliever Dominic Leone belatedly, and somewhat unexpectedly, paid the price Friday for a disappointing spring when he was optioned by the Mariners to Tacoma.

Club officials pulled a switch just three days prior to the season opener by opting to recall right-hander Carson Smith after clearing a regulatory hurdle by placing lefty Edgar Olmos on the disabled list.

“One of the toughest days I’ve had,” Leone admitted. “Last year was different, I kind of came in not expecting anything, and when they optioned me down it was disappointing, but not like this, not after the season I had.

“I understand I didn’t have the greatest of springs. I always have things I need to work on. But it’s tough when it kind of blindsides you like that.”

Leone appeared to win the final right-handed bullpen spot last Sunday when the Mariners optioned Smith to the Rainiers, but Leone struggled again in Wednesday’s 12-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

“He just wasn’t throwing very well,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “He’s got to get some things straightened out. In good conscience, I just couldn’t take him north with me.”

Leone gave up 13 runs (10 earned) and 17 hits in seven innings over nine appearances. He gave up four runs in just two-thirds of an inning Wednesday against the White Sox.

“Right now everything is up in the zone,” he said. “But you know, I feel good. I feel like I’m ready to get back to what I did last year.”

Smith technically replaced Olmos, who will placed on the disabled list retroactive to March 30 after not pitching all spring because of a shoulder injury.

Smith allowed four runs and nine hits in eight innings in nine games prior to be sent to Tacoma.

Rotation set (mostly)

McClendon finally confirmed what has long appeared obvious by saying lefty James Paxton and right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma will follow ace right-hander Felix Hernandez in the rotation.

But McClendon says he hasn’t decided on the order of the final two spots. Lefty J.A. Happ and right-hander Taijuan Walker are locked in, but who goes first has not been decided.

Happ is currently lined up for the fourth spot, but McClendon said he might shift to Walker.

A booming homer by minor-league outfielder Gabby Guerrero provided the winning run as the Mariners won their final spring home game.

Guerrero’s blast came in the seventh inning against veteran Colorado reliever LaTroy Hawkins. It struck high off the 40-foot batter’s eye.

Guerrero is the nephew of former All-Star Vladimir Guerrero.

Happ started for the Mariners and pitched four scoreless innings while allowing two hits and two walks. He struck out four.

Happ was hit in the right arm by Corey Dickerson’s leadoff drive in the third inning. After a brief check, Happ remained in the game and finished with 69 pitches, including 44 for strikes.