"Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard is unlikely to pitch in a game on this trip and will make only one start before the July 31 trade deadline.

Bedard threw 45 pitches in a bullpen session before Wednesday night's 11-6 loss to Toronto. Although he looked sharp, the coaching staff wants him to throw a simulated game to build endurance after missing more than three weeks of action.

"What we have to remember is, when he goes into a game, he might throw 30 pitches to warm up, so this was only about 15 more than that," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "Ideally, you want him in there against live hitters as well, since he hasn't thrown in a game for that much time."

Bedard should get up to around 50 pitches in the simulated game, but the intensity should be ramped-up considerably from where the bullpen session. Willis would like to see Bedard able to throw about 80 pitches in his first live game.

"The fact we're in the middle of the season already, that helps," Willis said. "He's already pitched for three months, so he's been throwing for a while. It's not like we're starting all over again."

Manager Eric Wedge said he doubts Bedard will need more than one simulated game. The team would like it to be in Boston this weekend, but first wants to see how Bedard feels Thursday morning."