PEORIA, Ariz. Hydro Flask 24 OZ Danmark . - Another year, same routine at the outset of spring training for Felix Hernandez. The Seattle Mariners ace threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Monday, and as in recent years, will be ramped up gradually in order to get him ready for opening day on March 31. The preparation for the season opener began with him throwing fastballs, curve balls and changeups. Manager Lloyd McClendon and pitching coach Rick Waits both said Hernandez looked great. Last February, Hernandez was brought along slowly in part because he left spring training to return to Seattle to sign his new contract, and got behind on his scheduled work. The idea has been to not make him pitch as much in February so he can be at full effectiveness in late March or early April. "Not bad," Hernandez said of his days work. "Beginning was a little wild. I was up. But then the ball came out pretty good." Hernandez said he might pitch in game action by the seventh game of spring training. Hernandez has taken a mentoring role with young Taijuan Walker, who is working toward being in the Mariners starting rotation when the season begins. Hernandez feels both Walker and left-handed starter James Paxton, both entering their first full seasons with the club, are ready to join the rotation and welcomes their questions. "They have a lot of talent," Hernandez said. "They just need to keep working hard and do their thing." Hernandez had similar guidance from former teammates Eddie Guardado, Joel Pineiro and Jamie Moyer when he was starting his big-league career. Hernandez realizes he isnt the only big name on the Mariners, now that star second baseman Robinson Cano has arrived. He welcomes another All-Star. "He can hit a lot, man," Hernandez said. "Glad I dont have to face him. Its all about winning. Thats all we need to do." Hes also glad to have a proven closer in Fernando Rodney on the team. "This club, its going to be a lot of fun this year," Hernandez said. "I cant wait." NOTES: Cano is expected to join the Mariners in time for Tuesdays first full-team workout. He was not at the teams spring training site on Monday, when position players reported for physicals. Canos physical is complete except for a brief check-in with team medical staff before he takes the field ... Walker threw his first bullpen session of spring training after being held out with a sore throwing shoulder, and said he felt great. He threw 25 pitches, all fastballs, and will have his next session on Thursday ... Infielder Nick Franklin, who played in 102 major-league games as a rookie in 2013, is viewed primarily as a shortstop, McClendon said, and will get some at-bats as a designated hitter in spring training. Franklin and Brad Miller are the primary contenders for the starting shortstop spot. ... Relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez arrived Monday, the veterans first day in camp after dealing with international visa issues. Hydro Flask Blå . Mika Zibanejad and Jason Spezza scored in the shootout to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday night. Hydro Flask Kaffe . -- The Oakland Raiders expect to have starting right tackle Tony Pashos back for Sundays game against the Houston Texans. http://www.danmarkhydroflask.com/ .J. - The New York Jets have signed former Green Bay Packers backup quarterback Graham Harrell, giving them some added depth at the position.WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Jonas Blixts memory of raising the trophy last year carried over to a strong start at the Greenbrier Classic. The defending champion shot a 6-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead over former Stanford star Patrick Rodgers and seven others at Old White TPC. Blixt tied for second in the Masters but missed the cut in three of his last four starts. Returning to The Greenbrier resort brought him back to a comfort zone. Starting on the 10th hole in the morning with little wind, Blixt had six birdies on his front nine and made the turn at 5 under. Six of the Swedes eight birdies came on putts of 10 feet or less. He also chipped in from the rough for birdie on No. 16. "The golf course is in perfect shape, like last year," Blixt said. "You come back with a bunch of confidence knowing that you won here before. "If I can get my putter to work the way it did today, I felt like I hit the ball on line every time, and it could be a really good week." Rodgers is looking to make his third straight cut since turning pro. He holed a 118-yard wedge for eagle on the par-4 first hole -- his 10th hole of the day. After the round, he was back on the driving range. "Being a new pro out here, youre always trying to figure out and establish your routines," Rodgers said, "and mine is just kind of cool down after the round and working on the things I felt like I can improve, and hopefully be ready for tomorrow." Also at 65 under were Chris Kirk, D.A. Points, James Hahn, Jason Bohn, Joe Durant, Jim Renner and Danny Lee. Steve Stricker, who has wife Nicki carrying his bag this week, was among eight player at 66. Jimmy Johnson, his regular caddie, was already scheduled to carry Chris Kirks bag when Stricker became a late entry at The Greenbrier. Stricker iss playing only his eighth tour event this year. Hydro Flask Danmark. Hell compete again next week at John Deere and is leaning against going to the British Open unless he has one or more high finishes before then. "Well just keep plugging along and see what happens," Stricker said. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson played alongside Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson, getting a close-up view as he contemplates his three captains picks for the Sept. 26-28 event at Gleneagles in Scotland. "The Ryder Cups a long way in the distance," Watson said. "Im watching other people as well. Its fun to be out here to get to know the young players a little bit better." Watson took a similar approach in April, playing with Jordan Spieth at the RBC Heritage and Patrick Reed at Augusta National. Watson has said he would use a wild-card pick on Tiger Woods if hes healthy and playing well, leaving all sorts of possibilities with the other two picks. Simpson, who shot 71 on Thursday, is 17th in the U.S. Ryder Cup standings and Bradley, who shot 67, is 18th. Others ahead of them in the Greenbrier Classic field are Kirk at No. 11, Brendon Todd at No. 13 and Kevin Na at No. 15. The top nine get automatic berths on the U.S. squad. Reed, also in the Greenbrier field, is at No. 9, while Phil Mickelson, not playing this week, is 10th. "Youd think that one round or two rounds wouldnt determine us being on the team. That would be kind of silly," Bradley said. "It doesnt hurt to play well. Put it that way." Bubba Watson, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 3 in the world, had a 68. Only two rounds of 65 or better came during the afternoon when the wind picked up and the greens became more firm. "I wish I could guess the wind differently, but otherwise it was a good day," Watson said. ' ' '