Bob Condotta filling in on the Mariner beat tonight, where the roof is open as I type this, the clouds having finally parted.

What has also cleared is the immediate future of Cliff Lee (pictured) and the Mariners' rotation.

Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu said that Lee will have a rehab start Sunday in Tacoma and then rejoin the Seattle rotation April 30 against Texas on what is Felix Hernandez bobblehead night.

Hernandez will start on May 1 and Doug Fister on May 2. There had been thought of having Lee start a day or two later, but Wakamatsu said that would then have him have a break of seven days and that wasn't desired.

Wakamatsu also said that Ian Snell will be moved back so that his next start is Tuesday in Kansas City, allowing the rest of the rotation to stay on its regular day.

Wakamatsu said Snell "had a great bullpen'' today and that having a little more time off will allow the M's to work with him a little more in the wake of a couple of rough starts.

When Lee comes back, that means someone will have to depart the rotation. But Wakamatsu said that "we'll evaluate that closer to the 30th, when we have to'' and gave no hints of which way he's leaning.

Wakamatsu said the goal is that Lee will throw "five, six innings and 85 pitches'' in Tacoma.

As for the lineup tonight, here it is:

Ichiro, RF
Chone Figgins, 2B
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Jose Lopez, 2B
Casey Kotchman, 1B
Mike Sweeney, DH
Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
Rob Johnson, C
Jack Wilson, SS

Wakamatsu said Milton Bradley, who left early last night with a sore calf, was checked out and it's "nothing serious.'' But giving him today off also allows him to then have the off day tomorrow to get better before the team plays again Friday in Chicago.

Casey Kotchman is also up higher in the lineup but Wakamatsu said that "that's just the way the lineup slots tonight'' with Ken Griffey Jr., and Bradley out of the lineup.

It's the first game for Tuiasosopo since April 14 against Oakland and Wakamatsu said it was important to get him back in the lineup again. It's the first appearance for Sweeney since Friday when he pinch-hit against Detroit.

Gutierrez remains in the lineup despite some groin stiffness. "It seems to be getting better,'' Wakamatsu said.

IN OTHER NEWS. ...

--- Erik Bedard is throwing a bullpen of 60 pitches as I type this. Wakamatsu said that "we'll see how that goes and then re-evaluate when his next session will be.''

--- Wakamatsu said he spoke with Adam Moore after his double last night and told him that "it's the first time I've seen him smile in two weeks.'' He hopes that hit gets Moore going after he hit better than .300 in spring training but is at .120 even after last night.

All for now.