Worth noting

By Greg Johns

February 23, 2014

• Brandon Maurer, who was forced to skip Friday's scheduled live batting practice debut when his back stiffened up, returned to the mound Sunday for a bullpen session as he works his way back into the mix.

• Young catcher Mike Zunino continues to impress McClendon with his work in the batting cage.

"He's been great. He's really picked up on the drills," McClendon said. I think HoJo [hitting coach Howard Johnson] has done a tremendous job with him. I've been really surprised how fast he's picked things up. He's really swinging the bat well."

• Closer Fernando Rodney has yet to throw live batting practice and is scheduled to toss another bullpen session Monday, but McClendon said the slower program is just part of the 37-year-old's normal approach for Spring Training.

Greg Johns is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregJohnsMLB as well as his Mariners Musings blog.