Quiroz a last-minute addition

And playing the role of Wilson Valdez this year ... Guillermo Quiroz.

On the day before the 2005 season began, the Mariners acquired Valdez to play shortstop. This year, they made a last-minute waiver acquisition, bringing in Quiroz from the Toronto organization to back up front-line catcher Kenji Johjima.

Manager Mike Hargrove downplayed the impact of introducing a catcher just before the season, particularly after the pitcher-catcher relationships were focused on in spring because of Johjima.

"It's not that difficult, nothing insurmountable," Hargrove said. "He'll [Quiroz] catch the guys in the bullpen and on the side, talk with [catching coach Ron] Hassey and [pitching coach Rafael] Chaves, and learn all he needs. It's just a process he has to go through."

In replacing Rene Rivera on the opening-day roster, Seattle might have been trying to capture lightning in a bottle.

Quiroz was one of the highest-regarded catching prospects in the minors — he was ranked third by Baseball America among all minor-league catchers in 2003 — until his advancement was undercut by health troubles.

In 2001, he threw out 45 percent of base stealers in the Class A South Atlantic League. In 2003, he hit .282 with New Haven of the Class AA Eastern League, with 20 homers and 79 runs batted in, was rated a solid receiver with a strong arm, and played in the Futures Game.

Promoted to Class AAA Syracuse in 2004, he hit .227-8-32, then joined Toronto and was .212-0-6 in 17 games.

What happened to derail him?

"Injuries ... you know?" said the 24-year-old Venezuelan. But not just any injuries. Quiroz suffered a collapsed lung — twice.

"It happened in 2003 and again 2005," he said. "The doctors told me I was born with bleps, which are little air sacs or bubbles in my lungs. They ripped open and my lung collapsed. There's no pain; you just cough a lot as if you had a bad cold."

Last year, Quiroz also had a shoulder problem that kept him out from April to mid-July and hampered him greatly, although he made it back to the majors for another 12 games.

Although he had surgery last year to clear up his lung issues, the Blue Jays essentially gave up on him, establishing Gregg Zaun as their top catcher and this winter signing former Angels starter Bengie Molina.

"After they brought in Bengie, I was waiting to see what would happen with me, where I might go," Quiroz said. "I never dreamed of Seattle, but this is great. I know this is a good organization and I'm very happy to be here."

No trade for Rivera

While it appeared that the acquisition of Quiroz could lead to trading Rivera, Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi undercut such a line of thought.

"Don't make too much of the trade thing," he said. "We acquired Quiroz for depth. He was out of options, but others have them and can be moved."

Rivera was of mixed emotions about going down to Class AAA Tacoma, especially after it appeared he was in line to be on the opening-day roster after Seattle cut Corky Miller from its spring roster.

"I was disappointed not to make it for opening day," said Rivera, 22, who made a good impression hitting .396 in two stints with the Mariners in 2005. "You want to be in the big leagues, you play to be there, even as a backup catcher."

He stayed with the big club for yesterday's workout, but will join Tacoma.

"The good part is that I will catch every day," he said. "I'll go down there and go hard."

Togetherness

For the first time in more than 10 years, Mariners coaches will dress in the main clubhouse, instead of a separate locker room.

Hargrove said not to read anything into it, like trying to establish stronger communication. And it had nothing to do with anything Ichiro might have suggested to create more of a baseball focus, since Hargrove also had coaches dress in the main room when he managed in Cleveland.

"I just wanted them out there," he said. "Last year we had the coaches dressing in one room, the players in another room and me in a third room [the manager's office]. I just think that's too many degrees of separation."

Reed feeling fine

Unless something goes far wrong with his right wrist, Jeremy Reed is expected to be in the starting lineup today. Reed, who made an unexpected start in Saturday's exhibition in Tacoma, said Sunday, "It feels fine — no day-after problems at all."

Doctors at first said Reed had a broken bone in his wrist, but further exams later revealed no break and the outfielder was cleared to work out.

"He is available," Hargrove said. "We once were looking at having him out six weeks and it turned out to be eight days. We'll take miracles like that all year."

Notes

• At 43 years and 162 days, Jamie Moyer will be the oldest opening-day starter in the majors since Charlie Hough started for Florida in a 4-3 loss to the Dodgers at 46 years, 90 days.

• After breaking out his new high-socks look for the World Baseball Classic, Ichiro intends to stay with it this year for Seattle. He grinned and said, in perfect English, "Old school, brother."