Jeff Clement's defense could be key to starting for M's

PEORIA, Ariz. — Everyone needs to start someplace and for Jeff Clement, that meant throwing out just about anybody on the basepaths.

That's sort of what happened late last week when the Mariners catcher nabbed Chicago Cubs outfield hopeful Sam Fuld at second on a "strike 'em out, throw 'em out" situation. Fuld will never be confused with Rickey Henderson, having stolen 10 bases in the minor leagues last year while also being caught 10 times.

But no one has mistaken Clement for Ivan Rodriguez in his heyday either, given how all 18 major-league runners who challenged his arm last year managed to safely advance 90 feet. With the Mariners looking for a catcher to step up and grab the No. 1 job, the ability of Clement to keep runners honest could play a large role in his future behind the plate.

"There were definitely situations last year where I could have thrown guys out," Clement said. "Being a catcher, there are a lot of times when you don't have a chance, whether the pitcher is too slow to the plate or you don't have a pitch you can throw on. So, there are a lot of different variables that play into it, but I definitely could have thrown out three, four or five guys and didn't get it done — for whatever reason.

"So, obviously that's something that I want to improve upon."

Clement didn't play on Sunday as the Mariners were walloped 15-5 by the Chicago White Sox.

Seattle starter Garrett Olson gave up seven runs in the second inning, issuing five walks before being pulled after just 1-2/3 frames. The Mariners expect to make some cuts today — mostly on the pitching side — and added an arm Sunday as minor-league reliever Jesus Delgado was plucked off waivers from the Florida Marlins and added to the 40-man roster.

The Mariners will also see some injured pitchers back in action today as Erik Bedard and Cesar Jimenez will both get an inning of work in split-squad games. Tyler Johnson, a potential front-runner for the situational lefty role in the bullpen, throws a bullpen session today and a simulated game two days later.

As jumbled as the bullpen has looked this spring, the catching situation isn't that much clearer. With Kenji Johjima playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, the team is trying to see what it has in Clement, Jamie Burke and Rob Johnson.

The Mariners covet Clement's left-handed power potential, though he's off to a slow start offensively this spring with a .208 average and one extra-base hit in his first 24 at-bats. While the Mariners are more than willing to wait for the former first-rounder's bat, they also expect improvement behind the plate.

Clement was actually credited statistically with a pair of "caught stealings" last season, though both outs came after pickoff moves by pitchers. He did throw two runners out in intrasquad games, though, and after two more steals off him Saturday, he's 1 for 4 in throwing runners out in Cactus League play.

"That's the one thing I want to improve upon the most, obviously," he said. "Receiving and blocking, I'm very comfortable with that. I'm very confident in my ability to throw. It's just a matter of getting consistent with it. I know I've got the arm strength. It's just a matter of being quick and making a good, solid throw."

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu, a former catcher, feels the same way. Wakamatsu and catching consultant Roger Hansen worked with Clement on his footwork the first two weeks of camp to "take some tension out of his throw" and "quicken him up a little bit" so he's throwing to second base in more of a single motion.

"I saw it early, even in the intrasquad games, we had a chance to work a little bit and I think he's improving," Wakamatsu said. "He's not a guy who lacks arm strength. I think it's more just coordination and a timing thing. Again, to see him make the throw [last week], I thought there was plenty on his throw."

Clement figures the best way to improve is through repetition. But that takes patience, since a catcher's arm often gets sore and doesn't allow for a daily throwing routine.

"There's different stuff you can do to try to improve your exchange and your feet," he said. "But I think the best way to improve it is just to get out there and throw. Whenever my arm feels good I make sure I take the opportunity to throw."

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

Sunday's box score

Chicago (A)						Seattle
	AB	R	H	BI			AB	R	H	BI
Owens cf	5	2	2	0		Woodward lf	3	0	0	0
Pierzynski c	4	1	2	2		M.Carp lf	1	0	0	0
Lucy c	2	1	1	0		Betancrt ss	3	1	1	0
Quentin lf	6	2	2	4		C.Triunfel ss	2	0	0	0
Dye rf	3	0	0	0		Griffey Jr. dh	3	0	1	0
Restovich rf	2	0	0	0		Shelton dh	1	1	0	0
Kroeger 1b	3	2	1	1		Beltre 3b	2	0	1	0
B.Allen 1b	2	1	1	3		Tuiasospo 3b	2	0	1	0
Ramirez ss	4	2	2	0		Branyan 1b	4	2	2	3
Betemit dh	3	2	2	3		Morse rf	3	1	1	1
Fields 3b	4	1	1	1		Wilson rf	0	0	0	1
J.Castillo 3b	0	0	0	0		Redman cf	3	0	0	0
G.Beckhm 2b	4	1	0	0		Stocker cf	0	0	0	0
						Johnson c	3	0	1	0
						Phillips c	1	0	0	0
						R.Corona 2b	4	0	0	0
Totals	42	15	14	14		Totals	35	5	8	5

Chicago (A)	091 001 400	—	15
Seattle	000 200 210	—	5

E — Fields (1), J.Castillo (1), R.Corona (1), Betancourt 2 (2), C.Triunfel (1).DP — Chicago (A) 1, Seattle 2. LOB — Chicago (A) 9, Seattle 7. 2B — Owens (1), Ramirez (4). 3B — Quentin (1). HR — Kroeger (1), B.Allen (1), Betemit (4), Branyan 2 (3), Morse (1). SF — Wilson.

White Sox	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
	Contreras W, 1-0		2	1	0	0	0	4

	MacDougal		1	0	0	0	0	2

	J.Marquez		3 1/3	6	4	4	0	3

	Williams		2/3	0	0	0	1	0

	Jimenez		2	1	1	1	1	0

Mariners	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO
	Olson L, 0-2		1 2/3	3	7	7	5	1

	M.Vega		1 1/3	2	3	2	0	0

	Batista		1	0	0	0	2	0

	Messenger		2	3	1	1	0	2

	S.Kelley		1	4	4	4	0	2

	Aardsma		1	2	0	0	1	1

	Hull		1	0	0	0	0	0

HBP — by Jimenez (Stocker), by M.Vega (G.Beckham). A — 3,381.