SEATTLE -- Mariners left-hander Charlie Furbush, who opened the season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, is ready to start throwing lightly off a mound, while right-hander Joaquin Benoit was scheduled to play catch on Sunday.
"Charlie's in a throwing program, working his way back," manager Scott Servais said. "He feels great. All the reports I've got have been very positive. He'll get up the mound here today or tomorrow and throw a very light 10 pitches."
Benoit went on the 15-day DL with shoulder inflammation, retroactive to April 22. He had appeared in five games, giving up two runs on two hits in five innings.
"Benoit's feeling much better, as well," Servais said before Sunday's series finale against the Royals. "He'll play catch today. So, those guys are both moving in the right direction."
The Mariners' bullpen, which entered Sunday with the lowest bullpen opponent batting average in the Major Leagues at .173, also has been helped by a starting rotation that had allowed one run or fewer in four of the past five games.