Brandon Morrow faced hitters in batting practice March 20, the first time in almost three weeks that he'd done so.
The question now is whether there is enough time for Morrow to get his strength back in time to begin the season in the starting rotation. Don't count on it. He was back to square one about mid-March, and he needs to get innings a little at a time now that his right forearm problems seem to be behind him.
Throwing to a pair of minor league hitters, Morrow let fly with 30 pitches over the course of 15 minutes. In addition to having GM Jack Zduriencik, manager Don Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair, trainer Rick Griffin also was watching.
"I tried to go out and throw normally," Morrow said. "I wanted to make sure everything was good to let it go. I was a little better in the stretch. The windup's coming along. Everything looks good."
Coming into the spring, Morrow was supposed to be the third starter after Felix Hernandez and Erik Bedard. Now, however, he stands a good chance of starting the season on the disabled list or starting in the minor leagues while he builds toward his return.
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