--3B Adrian Beltre, who had surgery on his left shoulder and thumb in September, is healthy and should be ready to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. The Mariners' medical staff says he's well on his way to being ready to play in February and March.
--RHP Tyler Walker, who pitched in 65 games for San Francisco in 2008, his first full season after having Tommy John surgery midway through the 2006, signed a one-year deal with the Mariners for $750,000. Walker, who pitched mostly setup relief last season, is likely to get a shot at being the closer for Seattle. --OF Wladimir Balentien has manager Don Wakamatsu's blessing to compete for The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. (Balentien is eligible as a native of Curacao.) However, the manager hasn't seen the second-year player much and said there was a chance that playing in the WBC might hold Balentien back slightly in spring training.
--INF/OF Willie Bloomquist made it official: He will no longer be with the Mariners. Bloomquist signed a two-year deal with the Kansas City Royals, leaving the Mariners needing to have someone else take over as the club's jack-of-all-trades.
--C Jeff Clement is going to get every chance to either be the starting catcher, the starting DH or a combination of those two positions this spring. That's the word from Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik. "There are guys we have who have to play, and certainly (Jeff) Clement is one," Zduriencik said. "It's safe to assume that we have to get him at-bats. We need to find a role for Clement, if it is DH or catcher."
BY THE NUMBERS: 39 -- The number of spots taken on the Mariners' 40-man roster.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I've got the whole kitchen sink." -- RHP Tyler Walker, who throws a mid-90s fastball plus a curve, slider, changeup and a splitter that he added to his repertoire last season.
