Johnson, Martinez Stay Low Key, Limit Their Pitching To The Bullpen

The men who could make up 40 percent of Seattle’s starting rotation this season - Randy Johnson and Dennis Martinez - each threw in the bullpen Sunday, though neither pitched batting practice.

“I’ve been everything there is to be in spring training, from the rookie to the guy with a job coming in to the veteran who has to make an impression. What am I now? I’m the grizzled veteran now,” Martinez said.

Johnson threw 32 pitches at about 60 to 70 percent of full effort, then passed on throwing scheduled batting practice as the team continues to move forward cautiously on his rehabilitation from back surgery. It was the first time he’d thrown a ball in four days, and as always he’ll be re-evaluated before throwing again.

Rookie shortstop Giomar Guevera reported, giving the Mariners a franchise-record 60 players in spring training. He was late, he said, because of problems getting his airline tickets to his Venezuelan home.

A breakdown of those in camp: 29 pitchers, six catchers, 15 infielders and 10 outfielders.

Hasegawa impresses Angels

Tim Salmon didn’t know much about Shigetoshi Hasegawa before stepping into the batting cage Sunday. After cracking three bats, Salmon was impressed.

“It’s obvious he’s a little ahead of us preparation-wise, but he showed he has the kind of stuff and location to be successful,” Salmon said at Anaheim’s camp in Tempe, Ariz. “Every time he threw the ball away to me, it was close enough where you didn’t know if it was a strike. If you can get a hitter thinking like that, you’ll be successful.”

Thome works hard

Jim Thome is putting in long hours this spring in his transition to first base, making room for Gold Glove third baseman Matt Williams.

Coach Johnny Goryl and Brian Graham, manager of the Indians’ Triple-A team in Buffalo, are Thome’s instructors with manager Mike Hargrove providing guidance.

“I’m not saying I’m going to do everything right,” Thome said. “No one expects me to do that. But I don’t see it as being that much of a problem. I think things will get easier once we start playing some games.”

Fryman prefers Tigers

Travis Fryman, in the fourth season of a $25 million, five-year contract, wants to stay with Detroit through the team’s rebuilding.

“I love the Detroit Tigers,” the third baseman said at Lakeland, Fla. “I consider it an honor and a privilege to play for a team with such a great tradition.

“To me there are only a few special teams in baseball, and the Tigers are one of them. We’ve been down, but we’re going to come back. I want to be here when we do.”