PEORIA, Ariz. — Even now, when Felix Hernandez steps on a pitcher’s mound, it still draws interest, regardless of the setting or circumstances. This spring, the reasons for that attention might be a little different, specifically his overall health in what the Mariners hope will be a bounce-back season.
Typical to form, Hernandez drew a crowd of on-lookers on Saturday morning when he stepped on a mound for the first time this spring training. With the sun finally out and temperatures in the 70s, Hernandez threw his first bullpen of the spring. Fans crowded around the chain link fence of the “six-pack” bullpen on the backfields of the complex while general manager Jerry Dipoto, manager Scott Servais, pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre and more than 20 staff members watched intently behind the pitchers mounds.