Baseball notebook: M’s like way pair progress

When will the Seattle Mariners’ dream rotation finally come together? Late May looks like the best estimate given the progress of left-handers Cliff Lee and Erik Bedard from injuries.

The Mariners still hadn’t gotten word from Major League Baseball on Monday concerning the length of Lee’s suspension, but manager Don Wakamatsu said he expected Lee to make his first start for the M’s on May 2 against the Texas Rangers.

Lee, on the disabled list because of a strained abdomen, will pitch his second simulated game this afternoon and, barring a setback, will pitch for the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers on Sunday.

Regardless whether his suspension is kept at five games or reduced, Lee probably would come off the disabled list and serve his time (with the Mariners operating with a 24-man roster) before starting the May 2 game.

Bedard, coming back from shoulder surgery last August, threw 50 pitches in the bullpen on Friday and is scheduled for a 60-pitch session Wednesday.

“I think best-case scenario is we’re looking somewhere toward the end of May,” Wakamatsu said.

M’s add infield depth

Veteran utility infielder Ramon Vazquez has signed a minor league contract with the Mariners. Vazquez went to spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates but was designated for assignment early this month and became a free agent on April 12.

Vazquez has played nine big-league seasons with the Mariners, Padres, Red Sox, Indians, Rangers and Pirates, has a .254 career batting average with a .328 on-base percentage and .350 slugging percentage. His best season was 2008 with Texas, where he went .290/.365/.430.

MLB bans hoodie

Baseball’s fashion police have raided Joe Maddon’s hood.

The Tampa Bay Rays manager has been told by Major League Baseball that he can no longer wear his favorite hoodie. Maddon likes to put on the pullover during cold days at the ballpark, but MLB said it’s not approved for use during games.

Baseball reissued a memo Friday saying managers and coaches could only wear jerseys or outwear OKed by MLB.

Maddon said he enjoys how it fits, but he’ll abide by the rules.

Clearing the bases

Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ will miss his next start because of a sore left elbow. … The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed outfielder Conor Jackson on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring.