M's Notebook | Bullpen starting to get worn out

After running on fumes Friday, Mariners pitcher J.J. Putz didn't want to guess what would be in the tank Saturday. But if needed, he said he wouldn't hesitate to head out to the mound — again.

The point was moot, though. Mariners manager Mike Hargrove said before Saturday's game that he would give the closer a day off.

"Unless he absolutely convinces me he can go," Hargrove said.

Before the game against the Kansas City Royals, Putz said he felt fine despite collecting his third save in the team's past five games. In all three saves, Putz was called upon in the eighth inning, getting four outs against Texas and five outs apiece against Oakland on Thursday and Kansas City on Friday.

And the extended play took a toll.

"I don't think I can go more than an inning," said Putz of how his arm felt Saturday. "It would be nice [to have a day off]."

Hargrove had dwindling options Saturday, especially after pulling Jeff Weaver with only one out in the opening inning, dipping into the bullpen earlier than expected.

Right-handers Chris Reitsma and Brandon Morrow were also weary. Left-hander George Sherrill could be used, but Hargrove would rather not make him a late-inning pitcher.

"We'll play it by ear," Hargrove said. "He [Sherrill] can, he has the stuff for it, but I don't think that's what we want him to be. On occasional basis, I think he can do it."

Pitching again

Felix Hernandez, who strained the flexor-pronator muscle in his right forearm earlier this month, continued to feel good after throwing 35 pitches in a bullpen session Friday. Hernandez is expected to throw again today and remains on pace to rejoin the rotation this week, now most likely on Saturday due to a rainout in Texas, according to Hargrove.

"I didn't go down to watch the bullpen, but I talked to the trainer and my pitching coach and they both said that he threw well," Hargrove said of Hernandez. "I talked to him today [Saturday] and he said he felt good, so everything is fine."

Spring pain

While April tends to admittedly be a tough month for Sherrill, he has rebounded from a rocky training camp to retire 15 consecutive batters in his eight appearances.

"He didn't have a good spring training at all," Hargrove said. "For me, that was a major concern because he was not affected even a little bit. He's been good for us the past couple of years, so you always like to see somebody do something in spring training and George just didn't. Since the bell has rung, George has been effective and has done a good job."

Yet Sherrill has had bad training camps before.

"Yes, but this is memorable," Hargrove said with a laugh. "This is burned-in-my-memory poor."

New career?

Putz and left-hander Jarrod Washburn made mock picks for the first round of the NFL draft on Saturday. When asked if Putz did better than analyst Mel Kiper Jr., the pitcher quipped, "Everybody does better than Kiper."

Both players made three correct picks, making their bet a wash. Putz had the first two and the 23rd pick right, while Washburn pegged the opening three selections. They kept track of the final rounds on Putz's cellphone during warmups.

For the record

Streak: L1

Home: 5-6

Road: 4-4

vs. AL West: 7-5

vs. L.A.: 0-3

vs. Oakland: 4-1

vs. Texas: 3-1

vs. AL East: 1-1

vs. AL Central: 1-4

vs. NL: 0-0

vs. LHP: 2-2

vs. RHP: 7-8

Day: 4-3

Night: 5-7

One-run: 1-3

Extra innings: 0-0

Home attendance

Saturday's crowd: 32,441

Season total: 266,821

Biggest crowd: 46,003 (April 2)

Smallest crowd: 19,015 (April 17)

Average (11 dates): 27,206

2006 average (11 dates): 26,840