Big Unit’s Status Remains In Air Mariners Open Spring Training With Very Few Question Marks

The Mariners begin spring training this morning with the reporting status of ace left-hander Randy Johnson still as cloudy as the sky was Friday above the Peoria Sports Complex.

“I just don’t know what’s going to happen,” Johnson’s agent, Barry Meister, said Friday afternoon from his Chicago office. “There is nothing more to say right now.”

Earlier in the day, Meister said that if Johnson didn’t report, he probably would leave the state for a while and be unavailable to the media. Johnson lives in Glendale, Ariz., less than 10 miles from the training camp facility.

Although signed, Johnson isn’t required to report until Feb. 26 because the basic agreement between players and owners stipulates that signed players must begin workouts no later than 33 days before the regular-season opener - March 31 for the Mariners.

Johnson is one of 38 Mariner pitchers, catchers and players coming off injury invited to the opening day of camp. Other position players start working out on Thursday.

But the spotlight will shine on a locker at one end of the clubhouse. There, a lightweight jersey dangles from a hanger with a name and number stitched on the back.

The name is Johnson. The No. is 51.

Inside the locker are nine pairs of uniform pants, a couple of warmup jackets and three pairs of still-boxed baseball shoes, along with a stack of unopened fan mail. Everything is in place for the occupant.

“Randy’s a pro and I expect him to be here,” teammate Jeff Fassero said. “I don’t know him that well, but (not showing up) isn’t like him. I don’t think he would see any advantage in staying out.”

It seems unlikely Johnson would have an extended holdout. Pitchers need more training camp than position players to build up the necessary arm strength for the regular season. Missing two or three weeks of camp probably would affect Johnson during the regular season, which might hurt his chances of landing a new, long-term contract offer as a free agent next season.

Johnson, 34, became the franchise’s first 20-game winner last season, and improved his record since 1994 to 53-9. Management decided to exercise the one-year option on Johnson’s contract - for $6 million - but didn’t offer a contract extension to the most dominating pitcher in the game this decade.

Meister has demanded a trade ever since.

But Woody Woodward, the vice president of baseball operations, has declined potential deals with Toronto, Cleveland, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles because none included the top-notch starting pitcher who would replace Johnson.

While the Johnson saga headlines the opening of spring training, there actually are fewer question marks than usual.

Rotation: If Johnson remains, the only opening is the fifth spot, which figures to be a spring battle between left-hander Paul Spoljaric and right-hander Felipe Lira.

Catcher: Rick Wilkins begins camp as the probable backup to Dan Wilson. John Marzano, Wilson’s backup the past two seasons, has the disadvantage of batting right-handed - the same as Wilson.

Bullpen: There probably are only two openings, as nothing short of injury or miserable performances will deprive right-handers Bobby Ayala, Heathcliff Slocumb and Mike Timlin and left-hander Tony Fossas from securing opening-night roster spots. Right-hander Bob Wells has the long-relief edge because of his experience.

Left field: Veteran Glenallen Hill begins camp as the favorite to open the season in Seattle’s most transient position, but watch for rookie Shane Monahan to make an impression.

Utility infielder: Newcomers Pat Listach and Jeff Huson have the inside track on earning bench spots, especially if the M’s break camp with six infielders, 11 pitchers, two catchers, one DH and five outfielders.

“This is a more rounded ballclub than we started with last spring,” manager Lou Piniella said.

Notes

For the first time in franchise history, the Mariners have spring training sellouts before the Cactus League season has started. The club announced that only lawn seating tickets are available for the March 11 (Diamondbacks), March 13 (Giants), March 14 (Athletics) and March 22 (Cubs) games… . Starting pitchers Jamie Moyer, Jeff Fassero, Ken Cloude, Paul Spojaric, Bobby Ayala and Bob Wells were among the early camp arrivals.