Pineiro officially M's fifth starter

OLYMPIAN NEWS SERVICES

Originally published Sunday, March 31, 2002

SEATTLE -- In an announcement that held about as much suspense as the pregame exchange of lineup cards, Piniella officially named 23-year-old Joel Pineiro as the Seattle Mariners' fifth starting pitcher Saturday.

Pineiro edged out left-hander John Halama and right-hander Ryan Franklin, both of whom are expected to be long relievers out of the Seattle bullpen.

While Pineiro entered spring training as the favorite to earn the fifth slot in the team's rotation, Piniella left it open for competition.

Pineiro had a 3-2 record and 5.14 ERA during five starts this spring. Halama was 1-1 with a 6.92 ERA, starting twice in five appearances, while Franklin posted an 0-1 record and 3.21 ERA in five appearances, including two starts.

Piniella said last week that Pineiro had the inside track on the job, but it did not become official until Saturday.

Despite the decision, Piniella said the organization has not given up on Halama as a starter.

"We like Johnny," he said. "The last few times out, he's started to throw the ball the way we anticipated. Pineiro had some success last year, so we decided to go with him."

As the No. 5 starter, Pineiro probably won't make his first start until April 9 because of the team's schedule. He could be used out of the bullpen during the upcoming homestand.

The Mariners' rotation also includes, in order: Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, Paul Abbott and James Baldwin.

- ARIAS OUT: The Mariners trimmed their roster from 31 to 25 players Saturday, with the most notable move involving infielder Alex Arias.

The 34-year-old utility player was designated for assignment, meaning the team has 10 days to trade him, release him or outright him to the minor leagues.

The Mariners also re-assigned five players to their minor-league camp: pitcher Matt Jarvis, catcher James Horner, infielder Ryan Minor and outfielders Eugene Kingsdale and Scott Podsednik. All five players will eventually be optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Arias' release came as a result of the team's decision to keep 23-year-old Luis Ugueto on the roster. As a Rule V player, Ugueto would have been returned to the Florida Marlins if he did not make the opening-day roster.

Ugueto is hitting .263 during spring training, while Arias is at .333.

Arias was acquired from San Diego as part of the deal that sent Tom Lampkin, Brett Tomko and Ramon Vazquez to the Padres in exchange for catcher Ben Davis.

Arias said he will discuss his future with his agent before deciding whether to sign a minor-league contract to play for Tacoma.

"I feel like I can do a good job up here," Arias said. "Everyone's got to make tough decisions."

- HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE?: While the Mariners sold out PGE Park in Portland on Friday night, they couldn't get nearly as impressive a reception at their home stadium.

Only 8,732 fans showed up at Safeco Field on Saturday afternoon, compared to 19,778 in Portland the previous night.

The Mariners have sold out Monday's season opener, but tickets remain for the remaining five games of their opening homestand.

- TONGUES FOR SALE: The emergence of the Mariners' Japanese stars has added a new energy to Tomio Moriguchi's Asian grocery and gift store in Seattle.

His pitch: We sell the beef tongue that Ichiro eats.

"He loves beef tongue!" Moriguchi says of the Mariners' popular leadoff hitter Ichiro Suzuki. "We probably order a few more because of Ichiro."

Uwajimaya has flourished in the city's International District for decades. With an aisle of live seafood and section of rare Asian fruits, the giant store is popular with the Seattle Asian community.

But it also has become the place to pick up rice balls or sushi for a pre-game snack before heading over to nearby Safeco Field. And maybe an Ichiro jersey or two.

Moriguchi is counting on Suzuki, closer Kazuhiro Sasaki and new relief pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa to keep the Japanese tourists coming.

An advertisement in the store gives fans a chance to get a life-size Ichiro painted on their living room wall. It costs $60 an hour and takes an average of three days.

The faces of the Japanese players are featured on the covers of many Asian publications sold in the store.

A Mariners display in the gift department is prepared for the season, with plenty of Ichiro and Sasaki shirts and hats. The Ichiro bobbleheads are going fast. Signs with Japanese characters that hang above the checkout registers read Ichiro and Daimongi, Sasaki's nickname.

"It's a devil, in a good sort of way," Moriguchi, 65, chief executive of the family business, says of Sasaki's moniker.

Mariguchi said Ichiro, the AL Rookie of the Year and MVP last season, no longer comes himself to Uwajimaya to buy Washugyu beef. His wife and staff shop for him.

"He used to come before he got famous," Moriguchi said. "Now he can't do it without being recognized."

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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