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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • Seattle Mariners (External Link) • Schedule (External Link) • Stats (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, May 17, 2008 Mariner update Today's game Opponent: San Diego Padres When: 7:10 p.m. Where: Safeco Field TV: Fox Sports Net Radio: KOMO (1000 AM) Pitchers: Seattle left-hander Erik Bedard (2-2, 3.48 earned run average) vs. left-hander Randy Wolf (2-3, 5.16). Help for the catchers When Roger Hansen shows up, the catchers shudder. Then they listen. Hansen, the Mariners' sometimes-abrasive and much-admired catching coordinator, was at Safeco Field on Friday to work with Kenji Johjima, Jeff Clement and Jamie Burke on a variety of issues. "He'll talk to all the catchers, find out what difficulties these guys have been having, what issues we've had and what we need to do to correct them," manager John McLaren said. "Roger can put things in ways not too many of us can put it. He's kind of direct and they like that and they expect that. "We've had some difficulties in our signs and some other stuff, and I think it'll be taken care of shortly." Among Hansen's tasks is to help solve communication issues that arose last week between the pitchers and catchers, namely Johjima. Jarrod Washburn said during the last road trip that he and Johjima "weren't on the same page." "I know Kenji and Jeff and Jamie so well, I know what they do," Hansen said. "So I'll just form my opinion after I see what goes on and see how they are handling it." Hansen said he hasn't sensed any conflict between Johjima and the pitchers. "If there is -- and I don't know that there is -- I'm going to find out," he said. "It does happen from time to time. It happens everywhere. "It's the catcher's responsibility to try and get on the same page as the pitcher. That's their job and whatever it takes to do that, that's what we have to do." Hansen doesn't buy the theory that there's a language barrier with Johjima, who is Japanese. "I saw Kenji catch for three years in Japan and handling those pitchers over there is the same as handling pitchers here," Hansen said. "You can use that as a crutch, but it's all the same in Japan as in the States." Health report: Two Mariners who've been hampered by back problems this week were feeling better Friday. Jose Vidro hasn't played since Monday after his back spasms flared up again. McLaren said he would be available as a pinch hitter. Right-hander Carlos Silva, who exited his start in the seventh inning Wednesday because of a stiff back, told McLaren he felt fine. "He didn't want to come out the other day, then three minutes after he got to the bench he said he was glad he came out," McLaren said. "We want these guys to be honest. If you're not physically right, you've got to be smart about it." Of note: McLaren said Johjima, who batted .429 in the five games entering Friday, is more relaxed now after slumping early. "He put a lot of pressure on himself. With the team struggling, I think he was trying too hard." … Jarrod Washburn, who recorded his first career save on Wednesday, will remain available out of the bullpen. Washburn won't start until the series at Detroit next week. Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer

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