M's whittle down relievers

PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Mariners bullpen can't afford to carry pitchers who can't work more than one inning or pitch in back-to-back games starting on Opening Day.

That's what Chris Reitsma and Arthur Rhodes heard from Mariners manager John McLaren, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and general manager Bill Bavasi on Wednesday, when the team sent both pitchers to the minor leagues.

Reitsma (offseason elbow surgery) and Rhodes (elbow ligament replacement surgery) are most of the way back, but neither is in pre-injury form. Both were asked to stay with the team, continue rehabilitation and see what happens.

Rhodes agreed. Reitsma took the other route, leaving camp and saying, "I want to take a few days and think about my options."

The options for both are the same. Both signed minor league contracts this winter. Neither has a provision to become a free agent should he be sent down.

That means Reitsma's options are retirement, accepting the demotion, or asking the Mariners to release him. The Mariners are under no obligation to grant a release, and even if they did, it's not clear that other teams would rush in with major league contract offers.

The other 29 major league teams also are busy trimming players to reach the 25-man Opening Day limit, and there are precious few openings for pitchers who aren't healthy.

"Those guys haven't pitched in back-to-back games," McLaren said. "We can't be put in the situation where we have too many pitchers who we have to take extra caution with."

The Mariners have one of those in right-hander Mark Lowe, who might make the team. Lowe, also coming off elbow surgery, has pitched in back-to-back games during spring training.

The Mariners haven't decided whether to carry six or seven relievers to start the season. There are eight in the running -- lefties Eric O'Flaherty and Ryan Rowland-Smith and right-handers J.J. Putz, Brandon Morrow, Sean Green, Cha Seung Baek, R.A. Dickey and Lowe.

Baek is out of minor league options and Dickey is a Rule 5 acquisition, so both likely would be lost to the Mariners if they don't make the team.

Everybody else but Putz has minor league options remaining.

Unlike Reitsma and Rhodes, Lowe has a major league contract, so the Mariners would have to use an option to send him down. Lowe, like Reitsma and Rhodes, came into the spring needing to prove he could help the bullpen.

In the ninth inning Wednesday against the Royals, Lowe threw three pitches 95 mph or better -- that's the hardest he's thrown all spring -- and is elated.

"It felt great today," Lowe said. "That's the best yet."

McLaren agreed.

"I was really impressed with what I saw from him," he said.

And for the other two rehabilitating relievers?

"Those two both have thrown the ball well," McLaren said of Reitsma and Rhodes. "What we are trying to do is to make sure that they are ready. We don't want to make fast judgments based on the March 31 (Opening Day) deadline."

Reitsma may decide to return. But Wednesday, he wasn't having any of it even after McLaren and Stottlemyre told him they hope he sticks around.

Teammates consoled Reitsma and apparently tried to persuade him to stay.

"Reits is doing what he feels he needs to," Putz said. "And you have to respect that. I hope he'll be back with us. I don't know, but I hope."

Reitsma said he was proud of himself for battling back from elbow problems and coming to camp healthy. It was just a matter of building up arm strength, getting in repetitive throws and ultimately pitching in back-to-back games, he said.

Reitsma quickly packed and left the clubhouse. He briefly stopped in the minor league complex on the other side of the building, but said he was going to think things through.

"I'm proud of myself for coming back the way I have," Reitsma, 30, said. "I have a healthy arm again. It's definitely not the arm I used to have, but I feel great."

At least publicly, Reitsma didn't burn his bridges.

"This organization has been nothing but classy," he said. "And I really appreciate the way they've treated me. But I wouldn't have come back this year if I didn't believe I could pitch in the big leagues now."

The Mariners still have 34 players in camp. There may be more roster moves Thursday, but it's unlikely the 25-man roster will be determined before a two-game series in Las Vegas against the Chicago Cubs on Friday and Saturday.

COMING FRIDAY

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