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Seattle Mariners

Lefty Joe Saunders bids to return to Mariners’ pitching staff

Left-hander Joe Saunders last pitched for Seattle in 2013 when he went 11-16 in 32 starts. (Associated Press)
Bob Dutton Tacoma News Tribune

PEORIA, Ariz. –  Veteran lefty Joe Saunders is ready to embrace any role the Seattle Mariners have in mind on his second go-round with the club after agreeing to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league camp.

“I’m a jack-of-all-trades these days,” he said Saturday before the Mariners conducted their first spring workout for pitchers and catchers at the Peoria Sports Complex.

“I can do whatever. … I feel I can be a lefty (situational) guy, a long guy out of the bullpen. I feel I can be a multiple-inning guy. I can be a starter. I think that brings some value.”

The Mariners signed Saunders to join the list of candidates to replace Joe Beimel as the bullpen’s second lefty, alongside Charlie Furbush.

Other candidates include Lucas Luetge, Rafael Perez and David Rollins.

One difference: Saunders, 33, had never pitched in relief over his 10 big-league seasons before making six appearances last September for Baltimore.

“It was kind of a breath of fresh air for me,” he said, “to come to the ballpark and be ready to play every day rather than every fifth day. I kind of enjoyed it.

“But do I miss starting? Yeah. Do I think I’ve still got more left in the tank? Yeah. But it’s whatever they want me to do.”

Saunders was 11-16 with a 5.26 ERA in 32 starts for the Mariners in 2013 before spending last season careening through three different organizations and spending much of the year in the minor leagues.

But the Mariners believe his career success against left-handed hitters – a .241/.288/.329 slash – makes him a reasonable spring gamble for their bullpen competition.

Reliever Tom Wilhelmsen lost his salary-arbitration case in a decision announced Saturday by the three-judge panel and will make $1.4 million in 2015.

Wilhelmsen had sought $2.2 million in a case argued Friday in Florida. It is the first time in 12 years the club went to a hearing with a player over salary.

The last time, involving pitcher Freddy Garcia in 2003, resulted in a ruling against the club.

Manager Lloyd McClendon isn’t a big fan of the new pace-of-play rules regarding replay challenges.

“I’ve been frustrated by the whole thing,” he said. “I think, in an unfair way, managers have been portrayed as guys who are walking out slow and wasting time.

“Well, what are you supposed to do? You have to wait for the replay system to find out whether or not you should challenge.

“Now, they’re telling you to stay in the dugout, and the umpire is going to be saying, ‘Hurry up. Let’s go.’ It’s the same process. You’ve got to wait on the replay system to find out whether or not it’s worth challenging.

“I was in favor of a red ball to throw at the umpire.”

Clearing the bases

Utilityman Willie Bloomquist, who underwent surgery last August on his right knee, says he’s “confident I could play right now.” McClendon said the club would “pace” Bloomquist this spring. … McClendon says no pitchers are on a restricted work schedule. … Most who didn’t throw a bullpen workout Saturday will today. One notable exception is ace right-hander Felix Hernandez, who plays catch early in camp before he feels ready to get on a mound.