Expectant Pop Wilson Returns Home

Dan Wilson flew east with the Mariners, had dinner with friends in the city, then flew home to Seattle - all within 24 hours - to be with wife Anne today for the birth of their first child.

It left the M’s with one catcher Friday, reserve John Marzano, and manager Lou Piniella had four words of advice for him.

“Don’t run into anyone,” Piniella said, recalling a Marzano start in which he and Edgar Martinez collided with disastrous results.

The team will have Tacoma catcher Chris Widger on hand, necessitating another roster move, but Piniella said no one begrudges the Wilsons their time.

“This was totally unexpected because she’s not due for another month,” Piniella said. “So we sent him home and wish them both the best.”

And what if, Piniella was asked, Anne Wilson is in labor for a month? “If she’s in labor for a month, I’ll start having chest pains,” Piniella said.

It was a day of comings and goings here: outfielder Mark Whiten arrived from the Atlanta Braves - and infielder Luis Sojo was designated for assignment.

“It wasn’t easy, but the bottom line was Luis wasn’t getting the job done,” Piniella said.

And today, to make room for Marzano, Seattle will have to move another player. Who? The candidates include rookie pitcher Bob Wolcott, who’s tentatively assigned to a bullpen now filled with long relievers.

But who goes or stays may depend upon the decision of Randy Johnson, who has told the team he will decide today whether he is ready to start Monday’s game here.

If he doesn’t, Wolcott, Rafael Carmona, or perhaps even rookie Matt Wagner, will.

Notes

For the first time this week, infielder Joey Cora was available to pinch-hit, though he still didn’t feel his bruised knee was ready for a full game in the field. He’s day-to-day. … To make room on their 40-man roster for September callups, the Mariners recalled pitcher Paul Menhart from Tacoma - and placed him on the 60-day disabled list. … His last 13 innings in relief, Mike Jackson has allowed one run. … Without a true second catcher available Friday, who was Marzano’s emergency backup? Jeff Manto, who has caught nine games in his professional career. … Here’s the scouting report on Whiten from Terry Mulholland - who began the season as Whiten’s Philadelphia teammate: “He’s streaky with a lot of power, he can steal a base for you and play good outfield defense. He’s got one of the best arms in the game. He gets real hot, he can get real cold.”

Coming up

Game 2 of the four-game series begins at 4 p.m. PDT and will be televised on Fox. Jamie Moyer (8-2, 4.10) starts against left-hander Kenny Rogers (10-5, 4.12).