Mariners roster picture clears as season nears

LAS VEGAS — The Mariners' roster situation began to clear a bit Friday after they bludgeoned the Chicago Cubs with six home runs in a 10-2 victory at breezy Cashman Field.

The club announced after the game that reliever Brandon Morrow, struggling to regain his command after a two-week layoff from a sore shoulder, had been optioned to Class AA West Tennessee.

Jeremy Reed, a longshot all spring for a reserve outfield job, was optioned to Class AAA Tacoma.

And Mike Morse has all but wrapped up a roster spot after getting three more hits against the Cubs, including a homer and double, to raise his spring average to .508.

Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi was interviewed on KOMO radio, the team's flagship station, during the game and indicated strongly that Morse was on the team.

Asked if that was the case, Mariners manager John McLaren said, "We'll save that story for [Saturday]."

As for Morrow, the Mariners sent him to Tennessee rather than Tacoma because of the warmer weather. McLaren said that Morrow needs to work on his delivery and strengthen his arm to the point he can pitch back-to-back games.

"Morrow's not quite ready," he said. "His velocity is great. We'll put him on a throwing program. I think we'll see him back fairly soon."

Morrow had already departed the ballpark when the announcement was made.

Morrow had another shaky outing Thursday in San Francisco against the Giants, walking three and giving up a run in an inning of work. McLaren said, however, that it is not a health issue, and the club didn't need to put him on the disabled list.

"He was throwing 96 [mph] last night," McLaren said. "He was lighting the gun up. He just had a little control problem."

The Mariners are believed to be exploring trade opportunities involving Reed. Tampa Bay and San Diego are possible partners.

Waiting on Reitsma

The Mariners are still awaiting word on the status of reliever Chris Reitsma, who left camp earlier in the week after being told he wasn't going to make Seattle's season-opening roster.

The Mariners hope Reitsma will decide to resume his comeback bid in the minor leagues, but he is apparently seriously considering retirement.

"I expect that might be the way it's going to go ... but two weeks from now or three weeks from now, he might get a better sense of what direction he wants to go," Michael Paolercio, identified as Reitsma's publicist, told the Calgary Herald, the pitcher's hometown newspaper.

Reitsma's agent, Brian Goldberg, told The Seattle Times on Friday that Reitsma, 30, has made no final decision on his future plans.

McLaren said he hasn't talked to Reitsma since he was involved, along with Bavasi, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and bullpen coach Norm Charlton, in what he termed "a long heart to heart" with Reitsma after they told him he wasn't making the team.

"I would think he's home now," McLaren said. "I'm sure he's sitting down and evaluating the situation. Hopefully, he'll come back."

Notes

• Carlos Silva turned in a strong outing in his final tuneup for his Mariners' regular-season debut Wednesday against the Rangers. On a night when the wind was blowing out, he limited the Cubs to three hits and one run (an Alfonso Soriano homer) in five innings.

"I feel very good," Silva said. "My command was right there. Every pitch I threw was where I wanted. It definitely makes you feel good. You always want to get out of spring training with a fresh mind. I'm ready for the season."

• Outfielder Brad Wilkerson was hit on his right elbow by a Matt Cain fastball on Thursday against the Giants and had to leave the game. He wasn't in the starting lineup Friday against the Cubs, but McLaren said he didn't believe Wilkerson was seriously injured. As proof, Wilkerson delivered a pinch-homer to right field in the eighth inning.

• McLaren said he will reveal the Mariners' season-opening batting order today, when the Mariners play another game in Vegas against the Cubs.

It's a safe bet that José Lopez, who batted second again Friday, will be in the two-hole, and DH Jose Vidro in the seventh spot. Lopez homered in the first inning off Cubs starter Ted Lilly.

Adrian Beltre and Raul Ibanez also delivered homers off Lilly. Morse, making his final case for a roster spot, singled, doubled and added a homer in the sixth. Kenji Johjima had a three-run homer in the eighth.