Mariners sign Petagine to minor-league contract

The Mariners have signed free-agent first baseman Roberto Petagine to a minor-league contract. Petagine, 34, was with Boston last year, hitting .281 with 9 RBI with the Red Sox and .327-20-69 at Class AAA Pawtucket.

The left-handed hitter spent the previous six seasons with Yakult and Yomiuri in Japan, hitting .317 and averaging 37 homers and 99 RBI and winning the 2001 MVP award and three gold gloves.

He was originally signed by Houston in 1990 and played parts of seasons with San Diego, the Mets and Cincinnati, 1995-98, hitting .230 with 11 homers and 52 RBI in 211 games.

Petagine is expected to report Wednesday, when the Mariners will have 63 players in camp: 31 pitchers (9 non-roster), 15 infielders (9 non-roster), 11 outfielders (1 non-roster) and 6 catchers (4 non-roster).

M's team doctor not returning

Dr. Larry Pedegana, who has served as a team physician for the Mariners since the club's inception in 1977, has informed the team that he would not be returning this season.

In addition to providing medical support for the team during the spring and regular season, Pedegana performed hundreds of surgeries on players; consulted closely on rehabilitation plans and schedules; spent thousands of hours meeting with team managers, coaches, players, trainers and staff and was an integral part in the decision making process for the Mariners baseball operations staff on major and minor league players.

Pedegana will be recognized for his years of service and dedication during the pre-game festivities on Opening Day, April 3, in Safeco Field.

"I am looking forward to devoting more time to my private practice," Pedegana said.