Erik Bedard looks strong in start for Class AAA Tacoma

TACOMA — It has been almost a year since Erik Bedard pitched in a major-league game.

But after his performance during a rehab assignment for Class AAA Tacoma on Thursday, the 31-year-old appears to be ready to make his 2010 debut for the Mariners.

The left-hander, who last threw in the majors on July 15, 2009, after suffering a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery, gave up one run (unearned) on three hits, walked three and struck out three over 4-1/3 innings for the Rainiers in a 2-1 win over Portland.

To understand just how ready he is to make his return to the major leagues, all anyone needed to see was the smile and upbeat demeanor he carried around the clubhouse after the game.

"I feel pretty good," said Bedard, who made his first start for Tacoma after two appearances in Arizona. "I worked on the changeup. That's what they wanted me to work on and throw strikes with it, so it's pretty good."

Bedard, who threw 81 pitches (51 for strikes), said he expects to make his first start for Seattle on Tuesday against Kansas City at Safeco Field.

"I'm just trying to help the team win," said Bedard, who has a career record of 51-41 with a 3.71 earned-run average. "That's pretty much the point of trying to get back."

Bedard said he never lost confidence that he would return.

"I've bounced back from a couple of different surgeries before, so I didn't really have any worries about it," he said.

He looked sharp right away against the Beavers, getting the first pitch of the game over for a strike against Cedric Hunter. Bedard then froze the left fielder with an 0-2 curveball to pick up a strikeout.

"I just threw strikes," Bedard said.

After retiring the side in order in the first — he needed just 10 pitches, nine of them strikes — Bedard walked first baseman Craig Cooper on eight pitches to open the second. Then, with two outs, he gave up an infield single to Kyle Phillips. But Portland didn't score.

"The main thing is, he felt good after the start," Tacoma manager Daren Brown said. "He was around the strike zone. I thought he got a little tired in the fourth and fifth innings. But early I thought he commanded the baseball well. I thought his off-speed pitches were sharp. He was throwing them for strikes as well. For me, everything was positive."

Bedard also retired the side in order in the third, striking out Luis Durango to open the inning. He fell behind Hunter 3-0, but battled back to induce a pop fly in foul territory on the third-base line. Matt Tuiasosopo made a nice sliding catch to record the second out.

Bedard gave up just two infield singles and a bunt single to Durango in the fifth.

Bedard was throwing between 88 and 90 mph for much of the game, and Brown said he topped out at about 92.

Bedard said he wore down a bit toward the end of outing due to his highest pitch count so far — 81. He said he expects to be held to about 90 pitches in his next start.

"It looked like his arm was working well," Brown said. "He wasn't holding anything back."

It was fitting that the Canadian pitched well on Canada Day.

"If I was at home, I would be drinking beer," Bedard said with a laugh.

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com