J. J. Putz gets in some throws

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It doesn't take much to make J.J. Putz giddy these days.

After a week sidelined by an injury to his rib cage lining, Putz had been climbing the dugout walls waiting for a chance to throw again. He finally got that chance on Wednesday, albeit for only 10 minutes on flat ground from a distance of 60 feet.

There will be other throwing sessions needed, including several off a mound, before Putz can be activated off the disabled list. And the fiery closer, despite feeling even more antsy because of the team's bullpen struggles, knows he can't afford to rush anything.

"If you're not [ready] and there's a flare-up, it's not just a one or two day setback," he said. "It's a week or two setback."

Before his throwing session, Putz's biggest achievement was being able to sneeze without a stabbing pain in his ribs.

"It's finally good," he said. "Everyday, I wake up and tickle my nose with a feather and it felt real good."

Mariners manager John McLaren said it felt good just to see his closer, who notched 40 saves last season, throwing a ball again.

"I started my day off good today," he said.

But McLaren could not say how long Putz will remain out. He's eligible to come off the DL in six days, but that's unlikely given that the team is pursuing a cautious, rather than aggressive throwing program.

Putz is likely to throw for another eight minutes from the same distance today. He'd likely get some rest, throw longer after that and eventually move to a mound.

"I think he's right on schedule," McLaren said. "He feels real good, we're happy with what we saw."

McLaren also declined to speculate about whether Putz would eventually have to go out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

"I think we just go step by step," he said. "We're taking it slow."

Messages for Mom

Ryan Rowland-Smith has been providing his family back in Australia with some advance play-by-play of his outings. His mother, Julie White, subscribes to the MLB Extra Innings package back home, but because of the time difference winds up watching the games several hours after they've been played.

Rowland-Smith usually chats with her beforehand, letting her know whether he got in the game or not.

"I'll tell her what happened and what to look for," he said. "Mostly just the good stuff."

His mother text-messaged him Wednesday that she had, indeed, watched him earn his first save Tuesday night by retiring the five batters he faced. Rowland-Smith then worked a scoreless eighth on Wednesday.

Note:

• Brad Wilkerson notched a hit for the second straight night, stroking a double to position Richie Sexson to score on a José Vidro single. It was the third hit all season by Wilkerson, batting .125, and his first for extra bases.

• The seven runs scored was a Mariners season high.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.