"Erik Bedard is scheduled to pitch an inning today in the charity game between the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres - which would be one inning more than he had all of spring 2010.

What will mean?

For one thing, the issue today isn't whether Bedard is healthy - he is. Under pitching coach Carl Willis, the lefty hasn't missed a drill or bullpen session all spring.

Manager Eric Wedge isn't holding Bedard back, isn't worrying about his elbow or shoulder, his hip or his attitude. This spring, Bedard is here to prove he can pitch, not that he's healthy.

Signed to a low-risk contract last winter, Bedard wanted to return to Seattle more than he wanted to pitch in any of the other teams that showed interest. He feels he has something to prove to the fans who watched him make all of 30 starts over three seasons as a Mariner."