Lee arrives at Mariners camp with bandaged foot

[March 19, 2010]  PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Cliff Lee has a new spring training address in Arizona, the Seattle Mariners' complex, but it likely will be another week or more before he can pitch.

Acquired from Philadelphia in the biggest trade of the offseason, Lee has a bandage around his left foot following Feb. 5 surgery to remove a bone spur. He arrived Wednesday for a physical and said he's getting around fine.

"It won't affect me," Lee said.

The 31-year-old left-hander is expected to combine with Felix Hernandez to give Seattle among the best rotation fronts in the major leagues.

"It's minor in terms of Cliff. I think he's feeling really good about himself," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "When they went in and did it, they thought it was kind of a surface-type injury."

Seattle and the doctors preferred that Lee have the operation earlier rather than later.

"That's common sense," Zduriencik said. "Three weeks now is a whole lot different than three weeks in the middle of July."

Left-hander Erik Bedard, who became a free agent before deciding to stay in Seattle, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. He might be sidelined until June.

"I'm very excited where Erik's at," Zduriencik said. "The date for when he's going to come back is yet to be determined. None of us know that yet. But I think if you talk to Erik, he's excited about where he's at physically. I'm really looking forward to when he's healthy and on that mound pitching."

Zduriencik also mentioned the importance of a healthy Sean White, placed on the 60-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis last September. White had a 2.80 ERA out of the bullpen last season.

Catcher Rob Johnson had offseason operations on his left and right hips and left wrist.

"He's probably a little ahead of schedule," Zduriencik said.

Seattle likely will limit Johnson during the early part of spring training.

"A lot of new fresh faces, a lot of enthusiasm," Johnson said. "Totally taking this organization in a different direction, and it's for the better. Just a lot of excitement, man, getting going. We're pumped."

[Associated Press]

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