"Erik Bedard pitched in a minor-league game Tuesday and worked his way into a spot in the Seattle Mariners' rotation.

Where, precisely, will the veteran left-hander fit?

"It won't be first or second, and it won't be fifth," pitching coach Carl Willis said.

If the season were to start this week, manager Eric Wedge likely would try to go right-left-right-left with his starters when possible, although that rotation could change.

Given that Felix Hernandez is the opening day starter and lefty Jason Vargas follows him, it's likely the next two starters would be righty Doug Fister and then Bedard.

That fifth spot?

With veteran Nate Robertson sidelined by elbow surgery, there are four candidates, Willis said.

"It's probably Michael Pineda, Luke French, David Pauley or Charlie Haeger," Willis said.

That group runs a wide gamut.

Pineda is a rookie power pitcher, French a soft-tossing lefty, Pauley a right-handed command specialist and Haeger a right-handed knuckleballer.

A handful of scouts were on hand to watch Bedard pitch 3 innings against Mariners minor leaguers, throwing a spring-high 66 pitches, striking out six batters and hitting one.

Runs allowed? Two - both impressive home runs by first baseman-designated hitter Rich Poythress, who was in Single-A last year and drove in 130 runs in 123 games.

Jay Buhner, who is in camp for a few days working with minor league outfielders, watched both home runs. As Poythress rounded the bases after the second, Buhner yelled to Bedard: "Next time, walk him intentionally!"

Bedard laughed on the mound."