Strange but true. I'm covering the M's until March 11, and they'll be in Tucson by this time a week from today. So that's where I'll be. Looking forward to eating at Mi Nidito, a very good Mexican place that I sampled on my only other visit to Tucson, when I saw my Oregon Ducks clobber the Arizona Wildcats in football some years back.

Kenji Johjima will catch when R.A. Dickey next pitches, Tuesday afternoon. This from manager John McLaren today. The thinking here is that the team wants to see Johjima catch the knuckleball, Dickey's signature pitch. I imagine its also somewhat of an indication that Dickey will make the final roster, the reasoning being why get your starting catcher used to catching the knuckleball if it isn't going to be seen during the season, unless there's another flutter-ball pitcher on the team I'm not aware of? Enlighten me, blog readers, if there is.

McLaren was also asked if Johjima has been instructed not to swing at a first pitch in games.
"Give him time," the skipper joked, drawing laughter. "We know it's in the cards."

I think someone asked that I post my picture on this blog so that people know who they are going after (in a matter of speaking). I politely and respectfully decline -- what are you, crazy? Now why would I invite potshots at my mug? Kidding of course. I'm the ghost blogger. I appear on the Seahawks blog a lot because that's my main job at the Times -- covering the Seahawks. I'm faceless there, too (it's Danny O'Neil's Seahawks blog).

The big news at this point is that Carlos Silva is making his spring training debut for Seattle today. He was the other big addition to the starting rotation in the offseason, along with Erik Bedard.

And I've just been informed that Chris Reitsma, Mark Lowe, Jon Huber and Arthur Rhodes are all throwing live batting practice today at 11 a.m. AZ time. They're all rehabilitating long-term injuries.

Now fans (in my best public address announcer voice)... welcome to Game 3 of the Mariners' Cactus League season. It's the Mariners hosting the San Diego Padres from right up the street. Let's meet the lineups for both teams...

San Diego Padres (1-1):
12 Scott Hairston DH
10 Tadahito Iguchi 2B
15 Jim Edmonds CF
7 Tony Clark 1B
3 Khalil Greene SS
8 Michael Barrett C
64 Chip Ambres LF
18 Paul McAnulty RF
2 Luis Rodriguez 3B

44 Jake Peavy RHP

Other Pitchers:
38 Glendon Rusch LHP
75 Mauro Zarate RHP
21 Heath Bell RHP
51 Trevor Hoffman RHP
50 Joe Thatcher LHP
67 Paul Abraham RHP

Seattle Mariners (1-1)
13 Miguel Cairo 3B
61 Bronson Sardinha CF
28 Raul Ibañez DH
44 Richie Sexson 1B
2 Kenji Johjima C
12 Mike Morse RF
50 Wladimir Balentien LF
23 Tug Hulett 2B
5 Yuniesky Betancourt SS

52 Carlos Silva RHP

Other Pitchers:
31 Ryan Feierabend LHP
74 Philip Barzilla LHP
20 J.J. Putz RHP
35 Brandon Morrow RHP
59 Eric O'Flaherty LHP
54 Sean Green RHP
44 Andy Baldwin RHP
68 Doug Fister RHP