M’S Get Zip, Then Big Unit Zips Lip

Spring training

It had been four months since the Seattle Mariners had played a nine-inning baseball game, and on Thursday it only seemed longer.

In an “unofficial” exhibition game, an annual charity affair here between the San Diego and Seattle, the Mariners looked what they were - a team five weeks away from regular-season form.

Bungled plays in the field, impatience at the plate, pitchers that weren’t quite ready. It was a combination that cost Seattle and handed San Diego an 8-0 victory in the first spring game for each team.

“We got a day’s work in,” manager Lou Piniella said with a shrug. “We made a couple errors, we didn’t hit the ball … other than that everything was fine.”

It started well enough, with Randy Johnson working two scoreless innings in which he gave up two hits, walked two batters and struck out four Padres. But Jeff Fassero gave up a pair of fourth-inning runs, rookie Gil Meche was touched for five more - two earned - in the fifth inning, and the Mariners’ patchwork lineup couldn’t break loose.

Afterward, facing a crowd of media, Johnson grew testier with each of the four questions he fielded.

“It felt like the first time out, I’m just getting my arm in shape,” Johnson said. “That’s what spring is for. Everything’s good. I’m healthy.”

But when a television reporter asked whether Johnson’s focus was “better” on Thursday, the “Big Unit” ended the press conference.

“I was never out of focus,” he said, “I don’t really care to talk anymore.”

And he was gone.

The Mariners claimed right-handed pitcher Maximo de la Rosa on waivers from the Cleveland Indians, and he is expected to report to the Mariners training camp on Saturday.

To make room on the 40-man roster the Mariners have designated right-handed pitcher Edwin Hurtado for assignment. Hurtado is expected to join the ORIX Blue Wave of the Japanese League within the next week, the Mariners said.

The Sheffield dilemma

Now that the Florida Marlins have finally coaxed Gary Sheffield to spring training at Melbourne, Fla., they’ll have a hard time getting rid of him.

Sheffield was briefly AWOL before he arrived six days and five hours late. The mercurial slugger then announced that he intends to remain with the Marlins for the duration of his $61 million, six-year contract that starts this season.

Florida sought to trade Sheffield during the off-season to cut costs, but he said he’ll exercise his right to veto any deal.

“I don’t care what team they’re talking about,” he said. “This is where I’m going to be.”

Yankees sign teen phenom

Sixteen-year-old Dominican pitcher Ricardo Aramboles signed with the New York Yankees for a $1.52 million bonus, his agent told Bloomberg News.

McDonald has surgery

Cleveland right-hander Ben McDonald had surgery to repair the damaged rotator cuff on his right pitching shoulder Wednesday night in Los Angeles and likely will miss the entire season.

Angels expected to get Hernandez

Orlando Hernandez, the Cuban defector who was once his nation’s top pitcher, is expected to sign a multi-year contract with the Anaheim Angels before the end of the weekend.

Joe Cubas, the agent for Hernandez, is expected to travel to Arizona to meet with team president Tony Tavares.