Washburn has disdain for screen

PEORIA, Ariz. – Jarrod Washburn is a no-nonsense pitcher who essentially tells hitters, “Here’s my fastball, hit it.”

That approach also extends to Washburn’s disdain for some aspects of spring training, one of them being the “L” screen that protects pitchers during batting practice.

“I hate it,” the Seattle Mariners’ left-hander said. “I don’t use it.”

To that, a lot of people cringe because Washburn, along with most other pitchers who threw batting practice Sunday, worked without protection. It’s a big risk, especially for the prized starting rotation.

“We’d prefer they use the screen,” manager John McLaren said. “But it’s up to them.”

It became clear during his session that Washburn isn’t a screen guy. He also isn’t enamored with hitters who hold back because there isn’t a screen protecting the pitcher.

Richie Sexson watched several of Washburn’s pitches go by without attempting a swing. Then Washburn barked, “Are you going to swing?”

Sexson reminded Washburn that he didn’t want to take any chances.

“I don’t give a (bleep),” Washburn shouted back at Sexson. “There’s no screen in a game.”

So Sexson hit a couple of balls, none coming close to hitting Washburn.

“I’ve got to practice getting out of the way, too,” Washburn said.

If any team knows the peril of batting practice without a screen, it should be the Mariners.

In October, 2000, Jamie Moyer was throwing a simulated game at Safeco Field as he prepared for the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series.

Moyer had completed his scheduled work but he wanted to pitch to one more hitter in order to work against a left-hander. Catcher Chris Widger stepped into the other batter’s box and, by some accounts, the Mariners-Yankees series took a dramatic turn before it even started.

Widger hit a one-hopper back to the mound and Moyer couldn’t get out of the way in time. It shattered his kneecap and kept the Mariners from using a pitcher they thought could shut down the left-handed dominant Yankees, who won the series in six games.