Pineiro back in action
Seattle Mariners right-hander Joel Pineiro returned to the mound Monday for the first time in more than two weeks, throwing two innings of a minor league game against Kansas City.
Pineiro faced seven batters, throwing 16 strikes in 26 pitches. He allowed one hit, notched a strikeout and hit one batter with a pitch.
“I threw all my pitches,” he said. “I threw 10 curveballs, some sliders, everything. No pain. It went great.”
Pineiro developed shoulder stiffness after his first spring training start. In two innings March 4, he allowed two runs and two hits with a walk and a strikeout in Seattle’s 8-1 loss to Milwaukee.
The following week, he was scratched from his scheduled start. He threw on flat ground, then pitched three bullpen sessions before Monday’s action. He expected to return sooner.
“I thought, from the soreness, that I was going to come back quicker,” Pineiro said. “It just took a little longer than I’d expected. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow, but right now it feels great.”
Dobbs nearing spot with M’s
Greg Dobbs thought he was getting closer to landing a permanent spot with Seattle after playing in 18 major league games last September.
Then in December, the Mariners spent $114 million on Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson to boost the team’s sagging offense. And those two play the same spots in the field – third base and first, respectively – as Dobbs.
“I knew my role was going to change. That was for sure,” said Dobbs, who came up through the minors as a third baseman.
The 26-year-old Dobbs knows he’s not going to displace either slugger, but he’s making a strong case this spring for a spot on the bench. He’s hitting .346, with a grand slam in Sunday’s 7-7 tie with Arizona.
Going into Monday’s games, only three Seattle regulars were hitting over .300 in spring training: Ichiro Suzuki (.529), Raul Ibanez (.409) and Beltre (.378). As a left-handed hitter, Dobbs could be a valuable addition.
“He’s played himself into contention for a utility spot,” manager Mike Hargrove said. “He’s got some pop in his bat, so that makes him attractive.”
Bonds could be back in camp
San Francisco outfielder Barry Bonds is expected to arrive back at spring camp today to begin a rehabilitation program after undergoing a second operation on his right knee last week.
“I’ve heard the same rumors everybody has,” Giants head trainer Stan Conte said. “I’ve heard he’s coming back to Arizona, but it would be fine with me if he stayed at home another day.”
Bonds underwent surgery in the Bay Area Thursday to repair new tears in the cartilage of his knee.
Buehrle having tests on foot
Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle had tests to determine whether he had a broken left foot.
Buehrle, slated to be Chicago’s opening-day starter, felt a pop while shagging fly balls Sunday but he didn’t report to the trainer’s office.
An MRI was inconclusive, and the White Sox scheduled a CT scan to determine the extent of the injury.
Soreness keeping him at Bay
Jason Bay doesn’t want to think about missing a second consecutive Pittsburgh Pirates opening day. A few more days of inactivity, and the former Gonzaga University star may have to do exactly that.
Bay, last season’s N.L. Rookie of the Year, hasn’t swung a bat since bruising his left wrist diving for a fly ball March 8. That layoff reaches two weeks today, the maximum time Bay was told he’d be out.
“I’d like to get him back out there,” manager Lloyd McClendon said Monday. “We’re going to have to get something determined in the next 3-4 days. We’re going to have to make a decision, and I’m not sure what it’s going to be.”
If he’s not ready by the end of the week, Bay might have to stay behind, just as he did last year when he missed the first month of the season.