Gutierrez left in AZ, Aardsma on the mend

While most of the Mariners are here in Los Angeles a few are not. Felix Hernandez was sent ahead to Oakland so he can get extra rest before Opening Day. Michael Pineda who is expected to throw tomorrow to stay on his regular routine also did not make the trip.

Nor did Franklin Gutierrez. I asked Eric Wedge if he was left in Peoria just for the day or if he would spend some time there before rejoining the team. “We’re going to keep him there for a little bit,” the skipper said. “But he is doing very well and progressing with baseball activities.”

The skipper also indicated that he was trying a new medication and having success with it. His condition remains a mystery but the word is he has made progress this week. He still is expected to start the season on the disabled list however.

David Aardsma is on the mend having thrown his first bullpen of the spring on Monday. I asked Wedge about what the program for him going forward would be. He wouldn’t go into specifics but the news was encouraging.

“He’s far enough along that he is with us which is good. He is going to continue to throw and ramp up. He is on the path,” he said.

As for who will close out the games the skipper declined to give a name. The assumption is that it will be Brandon League but again, he would not commit. He did however indicate that we will not see a closer by committee situation.

“The veteran guys are going to be in the back end of our bullpen. You need to set up the roles and we will talk about that in the next couple of days.”

Again, the final roster is not set. I spoke with Ryan Langerhans earlier today and he has not been told anything as of yet. He and Luis Rodriguez will still need to have their contracts purchased and be added to the 40 man roster before they can be put on the 25 man roster. It seems a long shot but there could be a change before the deadline tomorrow at 9am.

“We are not set until we are set and have sent it into the league,” Wedge said. “Obviously we have got 25 guys here there is always a chance something could happen at the last second but right now those are our guys.”