Mariners Notebook: Concern over Putz put to rest

The recent worry over J.J. Putz may have caused more inflammation around the Seattle Mariners than what their closer actually has in his right elbow.

A review of the MRI exam by the team’s medical director Saturday in Peoria, Ariz., confirmed that Putz’s tender elbow is not serious. Dr. Edward Khalfayan said Putz has a minor strain of the flexor-pronator.

Putz, who saved 36 games for the Mariners last year, will begin throwing again Tuesday and the team believes he will be ready for the season opener on April 2.

Putz hasn’t pitched in a game since March 5 because of tightness in the elbow and, after he threw 25 pitches in the bullpen on Thursday, it bothered him again. He had an MRI on Friday and Khalfayan read the results Saturday.

“We were never too worried about it,” Putz said. “It was a precautionary thing all along. I felt fine in my bullpen on Thursday. It was just a little achy afterwards, and it went away as the day went on.”

“Kevin Millwood allowed just one unearned run in four innings of work as the Texas Rangers beat Seattle 4-1 in Peoria, Ariz.

Seattle scored once on Jose Guillen’s single and had the bases loaded with one out in the first, but Millwood retired Adam Jones and Mike Morse to get out of the jam.

Seattle second baseman Willie Bloomquist went 0 for 4, snapping his seven-game hitting streak.

Clearing the bases

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Gustavo Chacin was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Tampa, Fla. Police reports showed Chacin registered a blood-alcohol content of .150 and .152 in two consecutive readings. The state limit is .08. … John Grabow’s elbow soreness has recurred, leaving Pittsburgh without the services of one of its most reliable relievers for the last three seasons. The Pirates have no timetable for when he will pitch again.