PEORIA, Ariz. — Sources say that the Mariners this week ordered their scouts out to look for pitching, no surprise given their 7-something earned-run average this spring.

But no matter how long Eddie Guardado is sidelined — now said to be at least seven to 10 days, and possibly for two to three weeks — J.J. Putz showed yesterday they don't need to add a closer to the list.

Putz finished last season converting his final nine save opportunities, third best among American League rookies, and would be the heir apparent if Guardado is not ready to start the season.

Working the last two innings of an 8-7 loss to Colorado, Putz used only 25 pitches, and 19 of them were strikes. He was ahead of six of seven batters.

Putz gave manager Mike Hargrove just what he hoped to see, in light of Guardado's situation.

"We're seeing what we need to out of our pitchers today," Hargrove said. "Defensively we put them in some tough spots, yet we pitched well and the Rockies only got three runs they should have scored. After three, four outings we're seeing stuff start to form, the arm strength get better."

What Putz finished well, Gil Meche started well. Outside of one high fastball that went for a double and a run, the right-hander looked Opening Day strong. He allowed only two hits and struck out four, throwing hard and mixing his mid-90s fastball with a power curveball.

While part of Putz's effectiveness involves trading in his curveball for a split-finger fastball, Meche's good work is based on trashing his slider last year and going to a curveball.

"I feel good," Meche said. "It was amazing, when I tried just to flip a curveball up there for a strike, I'd leave it up. (Pitching coach) Bryan (Price) noticed that I was letting up on the curve too much. But when I threw the power curve with the good hand speed, it broke sharp and down. That's what I took from today's game."

Putz's curve was so much in his repertoire that he'd spin it in any time he faced a key-pitch situation.

"Steve Peck was my manager in Double A and he used to call the curve my 'Woobie,' like that blanket that Linus always had up to his head in 'Peanuts,' " Putz said.

The Woobie went bye-bye last August when Price suggested Putz go to the split-finger as an off-speed complement to his mid-90s fastball.

"But I never got a chance to throw it last year. I'm not going to lose a game or save on an experimental pitch," Putz said. "This is different; this is what spring training is for."

Not only did he let go of the split, throwing four, but he showed a hard sinker.

"His sinker was moving so good, I thought it was a split," Hargrove said. "When you can throw that, along with a four-seamer (fastball) at 96 mph, you've got something to work with."

As far as filling in for Guardado, Putz said the correct thing: "I think Eddie will be back. We need him. If he needs a day off, after last year I feel confident I can step in."

But, if Guardado is not ready for Opening Day?

"I hope they feel they can count on me," Putz said.

Hargrove has him in mind. "I really don't want to go to who we might use to close, but J.J. has closed and he'd be a consideration."

Just chatting

First baseman Richie Sexson was mystified by reports that Hargrove had a talk with him about playing more aggressively on defense, which rose after Hargrove spoke with him on the field shortly after meeting with the team to address play he called "mentally lackadaisical."

Sexson said Hargrove and he talked about each other's family and "places we've been eating down here."

Fly, fly away

Hargrove did not fret over Ron Villone's rough inning, in which he hit two batters around a Justin Leone error on a topped ball to third.

Minor-leaguer Tim Olson followed with a grand slam, of which Hargrove said, "The ball was carrying down the lines; I thought that was a long fly that kept carrying."

Notes

• Right-hander Joel Pineiro, experiencing soreness behind his right shoulder, will not make his next scheduled start, Monday at Surprise, against Kansas City. Aaron Sele will start for the Mariners. Pineiro will have at least one session in the bullpen before making another start.

• CF Jeremy Reed had a double and triple yesterday in the loss to the Rockies.

• Benji Gil, playing second base, misplayed a two-out grounder in the fifth that let two runs score.

• Shortstop Jose Lopez had a double and a walk, and continues to impress.

• Bret Boone, out three days with a sore back, said he will play today. "Last year I played with pain in my back at a six, on a scale of 1 to 10, this felt like a nine at first, but now's it's a one. I'll work out (yesterday), so they can see I'm ready to go (today)."