M's Notebook | Making a tough adjustment

When Ben Broussard left Cleveland on July 26, traded to the Mariners for outfielder Shin Soo Choo, he was hitting .321 as the Indians' regular first baseman.

When Broussard arrives at Jacobs Field today with the Mariners, it will be as almost an afterthought on the Mariners' roster.

After struggling to a .236 average in 55 games in a DH platoon after the trade, and being seemingly back on the trade block all spring, Broussard is mired on the Mariners' bench. Coping with his reserve role is a major adjustment.

"I'm still working on it," he said. "It's definitely not what I envisioned I'd be doing. I have to come to the field ready to play every day, and whenever I get my chance, I have to make it count."

Broussard's role as a corner outfield reserve was reduced when the Mariners obtained Jason Ellison. In the first three games against Oakland, Broussard batted just once after replacing Richie Sexson at first base late in Wednesday's 9-0 blowout loss.

"I'm just kind of hanging out, seeing what happens," he said. "I know they'll probably find a place for me somewhere. If not, I'll be somewhere [another team]. I don't think I'll just sit and never play. I know I bring a lot to the table. It's just a matter of finding that right niche."

Ramirez's turn

Tonight, Horacio Ramirez becomes the next new Mariners starter to debut. The team certainly hopes it goes better than Miguel Batista's disastrous first start.

Ramirez, obtained in a winter trade with Atlanta for reliever Rafael Soriano, admits he's getting antsy to get out on the mound.

"I feel I've prepared myself well, and I'm ready to get it going," he said. "I'm going to be a little charged up for the fact it's my first start. But I think that will go away after the first few pitches. Then it just becomes a game for me."

In his fully healthy seasons in Atlanta, Ramirez went 12-4 as a rookie in 2003 and 11-9 in 32 starts in 2005. But shoulder problems limited him to nine starts in 2004, and he was on the disabled list three times last season. A finger injury kept him out the final two months.

"I'm totally healed now," he said. "I can't wait to get going and get the season started."

Burroughs close?

Remember Sean Burroughs?

Probably not. The Mariners signed the infielder, once considered a rising star with the Padres, to a minor-league contract during the winter, with an invitation to major-league camp. But just prior to spring training, Burroughs sprained the AC joint in his shoulder when he fell during a fishing trip.

Burroughs has been rehabbing in San Diego ever since, out of sight and out of mind — but he could finally be close to returning to action.

Frank Mattox, the M's director of player development, said Wednesday that the club learned in recent days that Burroughs has one more week of rehab left.

When that is finished, the Mariners are likely to bring Burroughs to their training camp in Peoria, Ariz., and decide what step to take next.

"We don't know if that means he's baseball ready," Mattox said. "We'll play it by ear. We can't just put him in a game. I don't care how good an athlete and baseball player you are, there are kinks to work out.

"We'll get him to Arizona and figure out a timetable once we see him a little bit. It's hard to make an assessment without seeing him. Hopefully, there won't be any setbacks."

Burroughs, 26, was San Diego's first-round draft pick in 1998, and its regular third baseman in 2003-04 before his career plummeted. He was traded to Tampa Bay before the 2006 season and released by the Devil Rays last August.

Note

• Manager Mike Hargrove was encouraged that RF Jose Guillen, who had Tommy John elbow surgery last July, cut loose with a throw in Tuesday's game against Oakland. He had gone through spring camp without testing his arm, but gunned a throw to third base late in the game.

"I knew it was there; I just didn't know when he was going to choose to let it go," Hargrove said. "Everyone, when they have that kind of surgery, has to reach their own point of decision on when it's time to test this thing now. I think he's been real smart about it."

For the record

Streak: L1

Home: 2-1

Road: 0-0

vs. AL West: 2-1

vs. Anaheim: 0-0

vs. Oakland: 2-1

vs. Texas: 0-0

vs. AL East: 0-0

vs. AL Central: 0-0

vs. NL: 0-0

vs. LHP: 0-0

vs. RHP: 2-1

Day: 1-0

Night: 1-1

One-run: 0-0

Extra innings: 0-0

Home attendance

Wednesday's crowd: 22,816

Season total: 94,106

Biggest crowd: 46,003 (Monday)

Smallest crowd: 22,816 (Wednesday)

Average (three dates): 31,369

2006 average (three dates): 28,990