Notebook | M's unleash this year's ads today

PEORIA, Ariz. — There's Rene Rivera, donning a welder's mask in order to haul in a "flaming" fastball from Felix Hernandez. There are Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt, cast as the "Double Play Twins," practicing accordion together, playing checkers, riding a tandem bike. There are relievers J.J. Putz and George Sherrill, who take part in the following conversation.

Putz: "They say baseball is a thinking man's game. (Long pause.) Think that's true? (Long pause)."

Sherrill turns to Putz, oblivious.

"Huh?" he asks.

It's that time of year again, the day when the Mariners unveil their new commercials. Fans can view them starting today at www.mariners.com, and they will air on FSN starting with the game Thursday night. There are seven commercials total, featuring 17 players, bench coach John McLaren and the ever-lovable Moose, who has a flashback to his childhood.

The players got a sneak peek Tuesday morning and laughed the whole way through.

M's make 9 cuts

The Mariners made nine cuts Tuesday — including infielder Sean Burroughs, who has not reported yet due to injury — bringing the major-league camp total to 51.

Left-handed pitchers Travis Blackley and Ryan Rowland-Smith were optioned to Class AAA Tacoma, and Matt Perisho was released. The Mariners also assigned right-handed pitchers Carlos Alvarado, Jesse Foppert and Juan Sandoval to minor-league camp, along with lefty Jim Parque, catcher Luis Oliveros and Woodinville native Matt Tuiasosopo.

Manager Mike Hargrove said his starters are pitching four innings this go-around, then five, six or seven innings their next outing. That leaves too few innings to go around, hence the emphasis on pitching casualties. Hargrove said the next cut will probably come by Saturday and feature more position players.

Parque and Sandoval were both intriguing stories. Sandoval is returning after getting shot in the eye. Parque is returning from a layoff.

"Will he ever pitch in the big leagues again? I don't know," Hargrove said of Parque. "But I can certainly tell you that he has a chance. There's a decent, good chance that he can and will pitch in the big leagues again."

Washburn

settles down

Jarrod Washburn pitched four innings Tuesday, allowing three hits and one run while striking out two. In nine spring-training innings, Washburn has allowed two runs.

Most of the Tuesday damage came in the first inning, when Washburn said his pitches were up in the zone and he fell behind in the count too often.

Washburn chatted with Brewers manager Ned Yost after the Mariners' 4-2 victory about hunting, how Yost made the cover of "Monster Bucks" magazine and shot a big deer this offseason.

"I feel good," Washburn said. "It was kind of nice to struggle there, so I can reteach myself how to make adjustments."

For Sherrill,

it's spring

George Sherrill's ERA last spring: 16.50. George Sherrill's ERA this spring: 18.00. And yet Sherrill posted a 4.28 ERA in 72 appearances for the Mariners last year, a trend he hopes to continue this season.

"You don't get a trophy down here," Sherrill said. "I hate spring. And it's never going to change. I'm still giving up runs. I've still got, like, a 25 career ERA in spring training."

Sherrill said he actually feels better this spring, more comfortable than ever. He's fully recovered from a left elbow injury last season that made it difficult for him to get full arm extension on some pitches. He hopes the Mariners understand his track record — both last season and in spring training — and likely will start the season in the bullpen.

"Everything feels like it's on pace," he said. "I've always given up runs, and I've never worried about it, just because it doesn't matter."

Notes

• RHP Julio Mateo's wife Aurea gave birth to their second child, Julian, on Sunday. Julian weighed 6 pounds, 5 ounces, and Mateo said, "He's doing great."

• Injuries: Putz (tightness in right elbow) continues to throw on flat ground. He will likely throw a bullpen Thursday.

• The Mariners set up an NCAA tournament pool Tuesday morning. They picked numbers, then ripped off a sheet of paper covering which teams corresponded with each number. The winner gets $5,100 for first place, after each pays $100 to participate. This exchange was priceless.

Putz, to Ichiro: "That's $1,000 yen."

Ichiro: "That's $10."

• Broadcaster Ron Fairly, who retired last year, will make a brief return this weekend to join Dave Niehaus in the booth. Fairly will be filling in for Dave Sims, who will be calling NCAA basketball games, and Rick Rizzs, who will be taking a few days off in Seattle. Meanwhile, new analyst Mike Blowers debuts on the FSN telecast on Thursday night against the Giants, the Mariners' first televised game this spring.

• The Mariners are looking for ballgirls ages 16-22. To learn more, call 206-346-4006.

• Hargrove will manage both games Thursday.

Tuesday's box score