M's Mailbag

Jim Street dives into the latest Q's from Mariner fans and gives some A's.

Rattler related Q's:

As of now, whom do you project to make the Opening Day roster as part of the bench? I like Jamie Burke, Willie Bloomquist, Jeff Clement and Mike Morse. Also, how will the signing of Cairo affect this situation?
-- Angelo M., Seattle.

The makeup of the 25-man Opening Day roster will be determined during Spring Training, but as we speak, there is a good chance that one of those five -- Burke, Bloomquist, Clement, Morse and Cairo -- probably won't be on the roster when the Mariners begin the regular season on March 31 against the Rangers at Safeco Field. Manager John McLaren presumably could carry 12 pitchers, three catchers, five infielders, four outfielders and designated hitter Jose Vidro. Some tough decisions loom.

How does Robert Rohrbaugh fit into the Mariners' plans?
-- Eldon M., Hanover, Pa.

The Mariners are extremely high on the 24-year-old left-hander, who was selected as the Most Valuable Pitcher for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in 2007. He split the season between Double-A West Tennessee and Tacoma, posting an overall record of 13-8 with a 3.12 ERA, 111 strikeouts and 47 walks in 170 1/3 innings.