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Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

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March 28, 2008 6:11 PM

Update from Vegas

Posted by Larry Stone

Larry Stone here with a quick update from Las Vegas, where I'm having major wireless issues. If you're reading this, it's because someone posted it for me. I can e-mail, but I can't post blog entries at the moment.

The big roster announcement is -- no announcement. At least not until after the game against the Cubs (which begins at 7:15), here at quaint Cashman Field. Manager John McLaren hinted there might be some news afterwards, which would be nice. But it's unlikely to be the entire cutdown. It's looking increasingly like the roster won't be settled until Sunday, when the team works out at Safeco Field.

McLaren did have a pre-game tidbit for us, saying that Brandon Morrow was unlikely to start the season on the disabled list, despite speculation to that effect. He said that Morrow's velocity is still good, but his control remains an issue. Morrow pitched an inning on Thursday against the Giants and walked three. If he's not on the DL, he could start the year in Tacoma to find his command.

The club is still facing the decision on whether to go with a 12-man or 11-man pitching staff. The definite keepers, besides the five starters, are J.J. Putz, Eric O'Flaherty, Sean Green, and Mark Lowe, with Morrow, R.A. Dickey, Ryan Rowland-Smith and Cha Seung Baek candidates for the final two or three spots.

That also leaves the decision on the bench still pending, with Mike Morse, Greg Norton, Jeremy Reed and Charlton Jimerson still sweating it out.

Larry Stone here with a quick update from Las Vegas, where I’m having major wireless issues. If you're reading this, it's because someone posted it for me. I can e-mail, but I can't post blog entries at the moment.
The big roster announcement is…no announcement.

At least not until after the game against the Cubs (which begins at 7:15), here at quaint Cashman Field. Manager John McLaren hinted there might be some news afterwards, which would be nice. But it’s unlikely to be the entire cutdown. It’s looking increasingly like the roster won’t be settled until Sunday, when the team works out at Safeco Field.

McLaren did have a pre-game tidbit for us, saying that Brandon Morrow was unlikely to start the season on the disabled list, despite speculation to that effect. He said that Morrow’s velocity is still good, but his control remains an issue. Morrow pitched an inning on Thursday against the Giants and walked three. If he’s not on the DL, he could start the year in Tacoma to find his command.

The club is still facing the decision on whether to go with a 12-man or 11-man pitching staff. The definite keepers, besides the five starters, are J.J. Putz, Eric O’Flaherty, Sean Green, and Mark Lowe, with Morrow, R.A. Dickey, Ryan Rowland-Smith and Cha Seung Baek candidates for the final two or three spots.

That also leaves the decision on the bench still pending, with Mike Morse, Greg Norton, Jeremy Reed and Charlton Jimerson still sweating it out.

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