SEATTLE -- Marco Gonzales took a step toward a return from the disabled list on Monday, toeing the rubber for a 20-pitch bullpen session that included all of his pitches.
"Even threw a couple strikes, so that was good," Gonzales joked.
"It was really good. I'm feeling really positive about the results. Most importantly, body feels good, so we're going to keep progressing."
Gonzales said he threw at 75 percent on Monday, and would likely throw a 25-pitch bullpen session with closer to "game-ready" intensity on Thursday. Manager Scott Servais said after that second session he'll be able to take a look at getting Gonzales back in the rotation.
After Gonzales took losses in his first three August starts -- pitching to a 7.94 ERA in that span -- the Mariners opted to pencil in extra rest for the lefty in advance of an Aug. 22 start vs. the Astros. Gonzales allowed eight runs over three innings in that start and landed on the disabled list five days later with a cervical muscle strain in his neck.
"It was somewhat mechanical somewhat, just kind of an ache and pain that got a little worse," Gonzales said. "We kind of had to hit pause and let it cool down for a second."
When it comes time to insert Gonzales back into the rotation, Servais will have plenty of options, including the potential for a six-man rotation. Servais said Monday that James Paxton will make Friday's start against the Yankees and Felix Hernandez will go Saturday, and the Mariners also have healthy rotation options in Mike Leake, Wade LeBlanc and Erasmo Ramirez.
Dee back in center
Servais started Dee Gordon in center field for the second consecutive game on Monday, his fourth game there since Robinson Cano returned from his 80-game suspension in mid-August.
The Mariners have positioned Gordon deeper than usual in order to take some stress off and alleviate worry about a ball hit over his head, Servais said.
"Just trust your speed and come get it," Servais said. "Don't over-think it. Sometimes you'll see Dee out there and it's like he's dancing -- you'd think he might have his ear buds in or something. ... Don't worry about being at the proper angle, the proper form. This guy's such a good athlete."

Since Cano's return, Gordon has also started seven games at second base and five at shortstop. Servais also said it would be great to see Gordon get hot at the plate again. He's batting .304 in the Marinerss wins and just .232 in team losses.
"Getting him on base is huge for us," Servais said. "So it would be nice to see him get going here in the last 20, 25 games."
Nelson keeps fighting
Nelson Cruz was in the lineup for a second straight day Monday despite dealing with an ankle injury he sustained Saturday when he fouled a ball off his foot. Cruz limped around the bases after getting an RBI single in Sunday's game.

"It was pretty sore, you saw it, he had a hard time running," Servais said. "You're not going to get Nelson out the lineup, but it wasn't pretty on the bases."
Cruz took batting practice on Monday, even though Servais said he would not.