Mariners Notebook | Washburn looks sharp in M's loss

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Jarrod Washburn has a novel approach toward pitching in his second season with the Mariners. Don't think.

"I get in trouble when I think," he said. "So no more thinking."

Washburn spent last season, his first with a new organization, trying to fit in, learning a new catcher and new teammates. He wasn't himself, and he said "it took a little bit away from who I am."

So the new Jarrod Washburn will actually be more like the old Jarrod Washburn. Early returns are positive, after Washburn tossed three scoreless innings, striking out four, allowing one hit and hitting one batter, in the Mariners' 11-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals on Thursday that dropped their record to 1-7.

His point of emphasis this spring is getting the ball inside more on left-handed hitters — they hit better against Washburn last year than ever before — and Washburn succeeded in that Thursday. Almost too well. He hit Alex Gordon on the elbow.

Washburn cautioned against reading too much into spring-training results, although the Mariners' last four starters have combined to allow one total run in the last 11 innings. Washburn said that shows what they're capable of.

"We have the capability of having a real solid, five-guy rotation," Washburn said. "We're going out there with a chance to win every single day."

Bullpen blues

Other than Washburn, Mariners pitchers struggled Thursday. Jorge Campillo took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) in an inning. To which manager Mike Hargrove said, "Today was not a good day for Campillo," when asked about the pitcher's chances of making the roster.

Jake Woods (two runs), Sean Green (run) and Jim Parque (three runs) — each with big-league experience — also pitched an inning.

"Washburn was outstanding," Hargrove said. "But in the fourth [inning] through the eighth, we didn't pitch well at all. We were up in the zone with everything. And every time we threw a strike, it was waist-high, middle-of-the-plate."

Notes

• Hargrove characterized the injuries as "little nicks and pains," but the Mariners have a full training room these days. 3B Adrian Beltre (sore left shoulder), 1B Richie Sexson (tight neck) and closer J.J. Putz (tightness in right elbow) did not play Thursday. Putz might not pitch today.

• C Rob Johnson (knee stiffness) hit Thursday and will be available today. RHP Aaron Small (back spasms) threw a bullpen session Thursday. 2B Jose Lopez reported no soreness after his first game this spring Wednesday, played Thursday and scored a run. LHP Cesar Jimenez had an MRI on his sore left elbow.

Speaking of Johnson, Hargrove called him and his more-celebrated catching prospect, Jeff Clement, "two of the top catching prospects in the game." Hargrove said Clement could be ready for a big-league promotion as soon as the middle of the season.

• The Mariners reassigned OF Rayon Lampe to minor-league camp. That brings their total of players in the big-league camp to an 60.

• INF Sean Burroughs isn't angering the Mariners by not reporting yet. He was told by the team to rehabilitate with his doctor.

• The Mariners' minor-league position players reported Thursday. Their first full-squad workout is Saturday.