The Associated Press
Despite getting shelled by the Rockies on Monday, Seattle starter Paul Abbott was pleased with his performance due to the fact his slider was working strongly. Abbott said he's tried to get into a spring training rhythm, but it's difficult given the differences in the spring routine.

Outing pleases Abbott

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Wednesday, March 20, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- How can the statistics look so bad and a pitcher feel so good about an outing?

Here's how Mariners right-hander Paul Abbott explains a side of spring training that the average fan may not understand.

"What I've been taking serious is getting my work in," said Abbott, who gave up five hits, five walks and two earned runs to the Rockies on Monday but felt good about the crisp sliders he threw. "I'm working on a different delivery and concentrating on that. When you do that it's hard to be consistent with throwing strikes. You've got to get the hitter out but you' re doing something that feels a little foreign."

It's like a golfer who makes adjustments on the driving range, knowing some shots are going to stray.

"I want to build on my season from last year. I want to be better than last year," Abbott said. "There are things I have to do now that can make me better. If I put a premium on results right now, then I'm not going to trust what I'm doing."

In his first two outings he didn't throw any breaking pitches, concentrating instead on improving the changeup that he struggled with last season.

"That was my goal. My goal was not to go two scoreless with no walks," Abbott said. "I was just trying to find my changeup. My third game I was trying to throw breaking pitches, but I know I'm not going to be sharp."

It doesn't help that the daily routine is vastly different for a pitcher at spring training than it is during the regular season.

"It's hard to get into a routine here," Abbott said. "We never shag BP (catch balls in the outfield during batting practice) on the day we pitch during the season, but over here we're shagging BP before the game. Then we come in here and eat an hour and a half before the game, but I never do that during the season."

Then the capper: "Heck, I didn't even listen to my music today."

Abbott usually wanders the clubhouse with headphones and a CD player on the days he starts.

- BETTER OFF IN THE MINORS: Matt Thornton has been one of the success stories of spring training, but it's almost certain he'll head for the minor leagues when the regular season begins.

The 25-year-old has allowed four runs in 8 2/3 innings this month and opened some eyes on a team that's looking for another left-hander in the bullpen.

Thornton's chances of filling that role seem slim.

"He had his first significant taste of success last year and he has shown great composure on the mound here, something that I had not seen before," pitching coach Bryan Price said. "In the same respect, at least another half season or season of that would probably make him a better major league pitcher.

"I think we're saying, 'Hey, let's not try to catch lightning in a bottle with this guy because if there's a setback you don't know if you can get him back again.' If he goes to Double-A and gets a chance to spend some time in Triple-A, I think he'll be a lot more prepared when he gets here as opposed to considering him as a left-handed guy out of A ball. If something (negative) happens, there could be a few doubts in his mind. Not in ours, but maybe in his."

- COACH BUHNER: He still suits up, tells stories and basically cavorts about the major league clubhouse, but when it's time to go to work, Jay Buhner heads to the minor league fields.

The retired Mariner, who worked with the major leaguers early in camp, is spending this week helping the younger players as part of his duties as a special instructor.

"I just talked to the outfielders a bit and picked their brains," he said. "I talked to some pitchers, a few hitters and whoever else wanted to come over and talk to me. Basically I was just introducing myself and letting guys know that I'm going to be down there until Wednesday and if they need any help or want to talk about anything, give me a holler."

After today?

"I don't know, to be honest," Buhner said. "Whatever pops up back in Seattle between now and when the season starts."

Besides working in a community relations capacity, Buhner will drop in and out of the minor league system.

"I'll do that through the course of the season, going down and working with the guys in Tacoma and Everett, stuff like that," he said.

- SNELLING UPDATE: All things considered, the Mariners got good news after outfielder Chris Snelling was examined by a hand specialist on Tuesday.

There is no ligament damage around his broken right thumb, and he should return in 4-6 weeks.

"They'll take X-rays again in a week to see if it's still aligned, but right now it looks good," said Benny Looper, the Mariners' player development director. "He's in a splint, but we're hoping in three weeks he can get it off."

Snelling, who hurt his thumb on Saturday while making a diving catch in center field, will start the season at Double-A San Antonio.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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