Worth noting

• After Tom Wilhelmsen picked up a pair of saves on the last road trip, manager Eric Wedge confirmed he indeed is back in the closer's role now, though the skipper said Oliver Perez would continue to get some save opportunities.

• Outfielder Michael Morse, on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps, ran in the outfield as well as some stairs at Safeco Field on Monday. Morse and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez (hamstring strain) both took batting practice with the team as well and will continue working with the club until at least midweek.

Wedge said the two would hit in a simulated game situation on Wednesday against reliever Stephen Pryor, himself recovering from a torn shoulder muscle that has him on the 60-day DL. Pryor threw a bullpen session on Monday and everything went well, according to Wedge.

• Right-hander Taijuan Walker, ranked by MLB.com as the Mariners' No. 1 prospect, saw his scoreless innings streak in Triple-A reach 14 innings before allowing a solo home run in the fourth on Sunday in his third start for Tacoma. Walker wound up with a no-decision after pitching five frames with six hits and just the lone run. The 20-year-old is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA with five walks and 16 strikeouts in 16 innings while holding opponents to a .186 average.

• Infielder Ty Kelly, obtained from the Orioles in the trade for Eric Thames, went 4-for-4 for Tacoma on Sunday and is hitting .545 (12 for 22) in six games.