The Associated Press
The Mariners' Shigetoshi Hasegawa pitches against Anaheim on Wednesday. He allowed four hits and one run in two innings.

Piniella concerned about M's pitching depth

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Thursday, March 7, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- A year ago, the Seattle Mariners were so deep in pitching that manager Lou Piniella was sending major-league arms back to the minor leagues during spring training.

Oh, would he love to be in that situation again.

If the first five exhibition games showed anything, it's that the Mariners have quality in the starting rotation and bullpen, but little depth behind those front-line pitchers.

Knowing one key injury could soften a solid pitching staff, Piniella is nervous.

"Last year, we were talking about all the pitching we had and how we needed offense," he said. "Now it's the other way around."

With offense as their offseason priority, the Mariners traded away pitching.

Denny Stark, Jose Paniagua and Brian Fuentes went to the Rockies for third baseman Jeff Cirillo, and Brett Tomko went to the Padres for catcher Ben Davis.

"Then we lost Aaron Sele (a free agent who signed with the Angels), Norm Charlton got hurt, and Gil Meche and Ryan Anderson aren't ready," Piniella said.

With those eight pitchers from last year either gone or not healthy enough to pitch, it's no surprise that spring games so far have featured missteps by young hurlers who don't seem ready for the majors.

The key to solving the depth issue could be a return to health of Meche and Anderson, who both spent a year recovering from shoulder surgery.

Anderson, a left-hander who had rotator cuff surgery one year ago today, may not pitch in a game until late this month. Meche, a right-hander who had two operations in the last 13 months, is scheduled to pitch Monday against the Chicago White Sox. Maybe.

"Right now, everything is set in sandstone," pitching coach Bryan Price said.

Meche says he still needs to build his arm strength before he'll feel comfortable pitching in a game.

"I want to get to that point, but I don't want to rush," he said. "If I'm not feeling comfortable or if Bryan isn't, then we'll keep pushing it back."

Regarding Anderson, Price said he'll keep throwing on the side until he's ready for a game.

"If he continues to progress like we hope, we think we'll see him in games near the end of camp," Price said.

Bummer.

"I was hoping to see them this month, just to monitor their progress," Piniella said. "That's the reason it's very important to stay healthy in our rotation."

Mariners glance

- Wednesday: Anaheim 5, Seattle 3. Story.

- Today: Seattle vs. Chicago Cubs, 12:05 p.m.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to Mariners 2002 index