Kenji Johjima

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training and opening day is just around the corner!

In Arizona, Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee have the baseball world abuzz with anticipation of the impact they can make on the landscape of Seattle baseball.

Will they answer the call to arms with a team monopoly in the pursuit of the American League Cy Young Award?

Larry LaRue from The News Tribune is reporting that Kenji Johjima has opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Mariners:

Today, Felix Hernandez toed the rubber at Safeco Field with some of the best stuff we’ve seen from him since his 17 shutout innings that began the 2007 season. Felix’s stat line may not reflect it completely, giving up seven hits and four runs (though only one was earned).

Hernandez’ two-seamer was running hard to the third-base side, and looked like it had a weight tied to the bottom of it. His change-up, with essentially the same action, had perhaps the best command I’ve seen him have with that pitch, and his breaking ball was adequate.

After almost becoming the starting second baseman for Venezuela in the final match of the World Baseball Classic, Jose Lopez has now returned to Seattle, as the Venezuelans lost in the semi-finals to Korea 10-2 last Saturday.

And now that many Seattle Mariners are back from their respected teams, the Mariners can show that with their added players, they can improve on their .500 record, the mark currently sit at after a 5-1 win today against the San Francisco Giants.

It was an interesting game for the Mariners as former ace, Randy Johnson gave up two runs in three innings.