Pineiro closing in on 5th spot in rotation

KIRBY ARNOLD, FOR THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Tuesday, March 26, 2002

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The final decision hasn't been made, but Lou Piniella said Monday that he knows who the Seattle Mariners' fifth starting pitcher will be.

Right-hander Joel Pineiro, who made his final spring training start Monday in the Mariners' 3-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies, will go into the season as Piniella's choice.

"I said coming into spring training that Pineiro was the front runner, and I haven't changed my mind there," Piniella said. "He's pitched well enough here. He's shown me good stuff. I would anticipate that he will keep his spot."

It has been a three-way battle for the fifth spot among Pineiro, right-hander Ryan Franklin and left-hander John Halama.

Piniero, the loser Monday, is 3-2 this month with a 4.95 earned run average. Franklin has gone 0-1, 3.21 and Halama 1-1, 8.18.

"When we came to camp, we talked about the competition for the job," Piniella said. "We've given everybody an opportunity and we thought all along that Pineiro would have a leg up on it. He hasn't shown me why he shouldn't. He has competed well and I like his stuff. I would think when it's all said and done, he'll be the one."

The 23-year-old Pineiro has been groomed for this job since his first pro season in 1997, when he pitched for the Everett AquaSox.

"Any of us -- me, Franklin, Halama -- can do the job for us," he said. "We're a team. My goal is to be a starter but if they need me in long relief, I want to go out and do my job."

Because of off days early in the season, the Mariners won't need the fifth starter until April 9 at Anaheim. Until then, Pineiro would pitch out of the bullpen.

Halama, who again has been the subject of trade speculation, will start the season in the bullpen barring a deal. The M's also are striving to find a situational left-hander in the bullpen and if they're successful, it could affect Halama's roster status. He has two options to the minor leagues remaining.

Currently, Arthur Rhodes is the only left-hander in the pen.

"I think it's important that we leave (spring training) with two," Piniella said. "I know Halama has said that he doesn't like that role very much, but that might be the only role here for him. That's as of now. Things can change, of course."

Halama pitched two scoreless innings of a minor league game Monday, allowing a leadoff single, picking off that runner and retiring the next five batters in order.

Franklin also made a strong statement this month, and his age (29) and maturity (10th-year pro with more than a year of major league service) are enticing to the Mariners.

"We like Franklin as a starter, too," Piniella said. "He hasn't shown me anything to the contrary that he can't pitch out of the fifth spot."

Franklin, however, excelled in long relief last year and has an arm that bounces back quickly.

- TRYING TO MAKE IT: Luis Ugueto, the 23-year-old Venezuelan who is trying to stick with the team as a middle infielder, is making the Mariners' decision tough.

As a Rule V draft pick who the Mariners obtained in the offseason, he must be offered back to the Florida Marlins if he doesn't make the 25-man roster.

If he makes the roster, it would seem to put reserve players Alex Arias or Charles Gipson on the bubble.

Ugueto played the final three innings Monday, performing flawlessly at shortstop and going 1-for-1. He is batting .286 and leads the M's with six steals.

"Ugueo wants to make the ballclub," Piniella said. "He's done well. He's an athletic kid and I know that our front office likes him because we took him the Rule V draft. The feeling is that we'd like to keep him, but we'll see what happens."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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