By Shannon Drayer

The Mariners are going about their business getting ready for today's game against the Dodgers. Pitchers run, hitters head to the cages, some guys are watching the WBC, the omelette station is fired up and the Nike rep is on his way. In other words, a typical morning clubhouse.

A couple of us caught up with pitching coach Carl Willis to learn more about Felix's schedule and we were told that he would throw a more intense BP session Sunday then see his first Cactus League action Thursday where he is expected to throw around 35 pitches.

This seems late but it is not as Felix has been held back a bit for the past few years (excluding last year with the trip to Japan). He doesn't need many games to get ready as he has learned he can build up to the needed pitch counts without them. The preference is to hold him back from games a little as he has a tendency to get up for games, even spring training games where that intensity isn't needed. In short, if the arm is ready and up to 95 or so pitches, Felix knows what to do Opening Day.

Lineup for today's game against the Dodgers...

Gutierrez 8
Seager 4
Ibanez 7
Smoak 3
Wells 9
Paulino DH
Zunino 2
Andino 6
Triunfel 5