But he does have a history of being a dominant closer when he's healthy, including 128 career saves. The Mariners, who are short of a solid closer since right-hander J.J. Putz was traded to the New York Mets, would like to think that by midseason, or even earlier, Cordero could be ready to go.

"When he's ready, he could really help," bullpen coach John Wetteland, himself a former closer, said. "He starts by throwing strikes at the knees, moves the ball back and forth and has great makeup.

"Great makeup is the hardest thing to find in a closer. It's what makes a closer a closer."

After joining the club, Cordero said, "I'm actually feeling really good; I haven't had any setbacks so far. I've been throwing bullpens since about the first week in February. Everything's been good so far. Whether when I come out if they want to me pitch in the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth or 10th, it doesn't matter me. I just want to go out and show that I'm healthy again."