M’s ace improves quickly

SEATTLE – The Mariners remain confident that Felix Hernandez, who sprained his left ankle June 23, will start a game before the All-Star break.

Hernandez, the Mariners’ best starter with a 6-5 record and 2.83 ERA, is eligible to come off the disabled list Wednesday. He likely would start Thursday at Oakland.

He threw for 10 minutes at a distance of about 90 feet Thursday afternoon.

“He didn’t experience any problems and that’s very encouraging,” manager Jim Riggleman said. “It makes us feel better about the time he’s able to come off (the DL) that he’ll be able to pitch right away.”

Of note

By recording his fifth save Wednesday night, Brandon Morrow became one of six pitchers in Mariners history with at least five saves before they turned 24. His 24th birthday is July 26. The others are Edwin Nunez (23 saves), Shane Rawley (15), Byron McLaughlin (14), Bill Wilkinson (12) and Ed VandeBerg (five). … With the signing of second-round pick Dennis Raben, the Mariners have signed six of their top 10 selections and 31 of their 50 picks. The unsigned among the top 10 picks are all right-handed pitchers – Josh Fields of Georgia (first round), Aaron Pribanic of Nebraska (third), Billy Morrison of Western Michigan (ninth) and Nathan Newman of Pepperdine (10th). … The Mariners played a Thursday game for the first time since May 22.