M’s get into swing
Manager Mike Hargrove spent the first three days of spring training doing what he equated with watching paint dry. He observed Seattle Mariners pitchers throwing in the bullpen and running defensive drills.
He got a treat Sunday on Day 4 at Peoria, Ariz.
Some of the heavy hitters came out for batting practice on the eve of their official reporting day.
Left fielder Raul Ibanez, third baseman Adrian Beltre, shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt and right fielder Jose Guillen took their hacks, and Hargrove planted himself against the backstop and watched with keen interest.
“It’s nice to see them swing a bat and see where they are with their swings,” Hargrove said.
And how did they look? Not always pretty.
“I get real uneasy when a guy gets into the cage the first day and is hitting balls out of the ballpark,” Hargrove said.
Instead of batting-practice home runs, Hargrove is more interested in the basics of the swing. Is the hitter over-striding? Is he using his hands?
“You’ll go through a period for the next two weeks having your swing for three days, and all of a sudden the fourth day it’s like you haven’t picked up a bat in your life,” Hargrove said. “It’ll probably be mid-spring training before you start feeling like you’re dialed in, or getting there. It’s different for everyone. Some guys get it and keep it. The trick is not losing it at the end of spring training.”
Mariner notes
Mariners right-handed pitcher Mark Lowe will have his right elbow examined today in Tempe, Ariz., by Dr. Lewis Yocum, who operated on him in October. Lowe has made steady progress in rehab the past few weeks and, if he gets a good report today, could begin a throwing program soon. … Today is reporting day for position players, although most of them have been here for days, if not weeks. Of the regulars, only center fielder Ichiro Suzuki and first baseman Richie Sexson hadn’t arrived. The first full-squad workout is Tuesday.
Around the league
Kanas City is banking on Octavio Dotel to be the closer they didn’t have last season, when the Royals blew a major league-leading 31 saves.
It remains to be seen, however, whether Dotel’s rebuilt elbow is up to the task.
The Royals are paying him $5 million for a one year, even though he missed most of the last two seasons.
Dotel had a career-high 36 saves in 2004 with Houston and Oakland, and seven more with the Athletics in 2005 before he got hurt and had surgery that June. … Infielder Ronnie Belliard agreed to a non-guaranteed, minor league contract with the Washington Nationals that will pay him $750,000 if he makes the season’s roster. … The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Kelly Stinnett agreed to a minor league contract.