IN the PEN

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courtesy Kirby Arnold | HeraldNet


DAVIDaardsma
RIGHT-HANDER
4-2 | 5.55*
The Mariners saw an opportunity to add a potent arm to their bullpen and acquired the 27-year-old Aardsma in the offs eason from the Red Sox for minor league pitcher Fabian Williamson. His fastball tops out in the upper 90 mph range and he has been working on a better breaking pitch. Aardsma, the first player listed in the baseball registry, averaged 9.06 strikeouts per nine innings last year. He also tends to give up a lot of fly balls, which could work well at Safeco Field if he keeps them in the middle of the big ballpark.
*2008 statistics with the Boston Red Sox



MIGUELbatista
RIGHT-HANDER
4-14 | 6.26
Others who didn't make the team pitched better than Batista at spring training, but the Mariners weren't about to eat the $9 million he will make this year. If the Mariners could find a taker, they'd move Batista in a heartbeat. Otherwise, he'll pitch primarily in long relief. He had a chance to compete for the closer job but struggled at spring training and didn't show he could pitch in back-to-back games.



ROYcorcoran
RIGHT-HANDER
6-2 | 3.22
Besides being one of the most popular players in the clubhouse, "We asked each guy who their favorite teammate was, and about 15 of them said Corky," Wakamatsu said Corcoran was a rock in the bullpen in his first full big-league season. Corcoran doesn't have overpowering stuff but he's fearless, and when he gets late movement on his fastball he can be tough to hit. Corcoran went to spring training hoping to compete for the closer job but suffered a minor arm problem, then struggled to rediscover his stuff.



CHRISjakubauskas
RIGHT-HANDER
5-1 | 2.59*
A non-roster player like Kelley, Jakubauskas performed so well at spring training he forced his way onto the opening-day roster. He is one of the great stories on the team, a former power-hitting first baseman and outfielder at the University of Oklahoma whose bat disappeared. He converted to pitcher and played four years of independent ball before the Mariners signed him in 2007. Jakubauskas throws to all corners of the strike zone and isn't afraid to pitch inside, and he was especially good against left-handed hitters at spring training.
* 20008 statistics at Class AAA Tacoma



SHAWNkelley
Right-hander
3-1 | 2.11*
The 24-year-old Kelley was one of the success stories of spring training, making the team as a non-roster invitee. Kelley, who pitched three games for the Everett AquaSox in 2007, has moved quickly through the Mariners' system since they drafted him in the 13th round in 2007. He pitched at three levels last year and led all Mariners minor leaguers with 15 saves. At one point, he pitched 26 straight scoreless innings, including 14 straight at Class AA West Tennessee.
*2008 statistics in 29 relief appearances at Class AA West Tennessee



MARKlowe
RIGHT-HANDER
1-5 | 5.37
Last year was all about staying healthy for a complete season for Lowe, who pitched his first full year after major elbow surgery in 2006. He throws a mid-to-upper 90 mph fastball with a slider and sinker, and when he controls those pitches he's tough to hit. Lowe could even see some time at closer when Brandon Morrow isn't available. Lowe, diagnosed last year as a Type 2 diabetic, began taking insulin late last month in order to keep his blood sugar in check. He had lost 15 pounds during the off season.



BRANDONmorrow
RIGHT-HANDER ~ CLOSER
3-4 | 3.34
No pitcher has gone through a swing of emotions or roles than Morrow in the past year. He began spring training figuring to have a prominent place in the starting rotation, having been converted into a starter midway through last season. A tight forearm set Morrow back early in camp, and he struggled to regain the arm strength and command needed to be ready for the season-opening rotation.

Still, the Mariners prepared the hard-throwing right-hander as a starter not knowing the debate Morrow was having in his own mind. Besides concerns over his durability as a starter, Morrow is a diabetic who knew that keeping his blood sugar in balance would be more difficult than if he were a reliever.

He approached Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair about two weeks ago, telling him he believed he would be more effective pitching in relief. "Diabetes is a little bit of a factor, but the major thing is the excitement from coming in at the end of the game," Morrow said. "I think I can help the team more in the bullpen. I think I'm better built for the bullpen."

Morrow moves to the pen at a time when the Mariners are desperate for a closer. The trade of J.J. Putz created a wide-open competition at spring training, and none of the pitchers considered for the job pitched well.

Now there's Morrow, who has a record of success as a closer. He saved 10 games last year when Putz served two stints on the disabled list, including his first career save on June 11 at Toronto after Putz had to leave the game.

As the Mariners' losses mounted and they began to look ahead to this year, they decided to convert Morrow into a starter. He went to Class AAA Tacoma to build his arm strength, then made his starting debut in spectacular fashion. He held the Yankees without a hit for 72/3 innings in one of the brightest moments of a dismal season for the Mariners.

Things have changed since then, and Morrow is back in the bullpen and eager for the chance to pitch in the ninth inning again. "Once you get a taste of closing, I don't think many people would want to go back to anything else," Morrow said.