Reshaped M’s get reacquainted

On the eve of their first spring training workout, the Seattle Mariners gathered Wednesday in Peoria, Ariz., for some rituals of baseball that precede even the physical exams most of them endured.

Newcomers, such as pitcher Jarrod Washburn and catcher Kenji Johjima, said hello to their teammates for the first time. Returning Mariners who hadn’t seen each other since last October exchanged handshakes and hugs. Nearly all of them took notice of what kind of shape they were in.

Manager Mike Hargrove is several belt loops smaller.

Catcher Rene Rivera and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt are broader in the shoulders. Outfield prospect T.J. Bohn is as tall and impressive to Hargrove.

Hargrove also has been struck by the looks of some players he hadn’t seen in months.

“Mike Morse is huge,” he said of the team’s 6-foot-5, 225-pound infielder/outfielder. “He was a big kid before and he’s a bigger kid now.”

Hargrove said pitcher Joel Pineiro has reported to camp perhaps more ready for duty than anyone else. That’s important since Pineiro will leave the Mariners and begin workouts March 2 with the Dominican Republic team that will play in the World Baseball Classic.

“We’re going to try to get him as close to being able to throw 65 pitches competitively before he leaves,” Hargrove said. “He looks in great shape.”

Sosa close to retirement

Sammy Sosa probably will retire after rejecting an offer from the Washington Nationals.

“It’s more than likely we have seen him in a uniform for the last time,” Sosa’s agent, Adam Katz, said.

Washington offered Sosa a non-guaranteed contract that would have included bonus opportunities.

Notes

Pitcher Jeff Weaver became the last major free agent to find a team, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels worth $8,325,000. … Pitcher Tomo Ohka agreed to a one-year, $4.53 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. … Kyle Lohse beat the Minnesota Twins in salary arbitration and will make $3.95 million.