It is really early here in the desert, the sun is out, but I am in the clubhouse snooping around for some notes.

I wander down the hallway to manager Don Wakamatsu’s office, take a left and peak into the room. No one home. I make an about-face, walk away and notice that the door to the coaches’ room is closed.

Wak and his entire coaching staff must be there, perhaps discussing the makeup of the 25-man Opening Day roster.

No one has asked for my expert opinion, but here it is, anyway: My 25-man Opening Day roster.

Pitchers (12): Starters, Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Ian Snell, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Doug Fister, Jason Vargas; relievers, David Aardsma, Mark Lowe, Sean White, Brandon League, Shawn Kelley,Kanekoa Texeira.

Catchers (2): Rob Johnson, Adam Moore.

Outfielders (4): Milton Bradley, Eric Byrnes, Franklin Gutierrez, Ichiro Suzuki.

Infielders (5): Chone Figgins, Casey Kotchman, Jose Lopez, Jack Wilson, Josh Wilson.

Designated hitters (2): Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Sweeney.

And there you have it.

Camp officially closes a week from yesterday and here are some awards, MLB.com style:

Player of the Camp: Sweeney reported with a next-to-no chance of earning a spot on the roster and even admitted it. But he has swung the hottest bat in camp and makes my team.

Biggest surprise: Texeira, a Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees, has been outstanding from Day One.

Biggest Ouchie: There have been a few too many, but the strained abdominal muscle suffered by Lee during a forgetful afternoon in Tucson hurts the most.

What-to-make-of-it award: Left-hander Jason Vargas has been the second-best starter, right behind Felix, and if can pitch during the regular season the way he has in Spring Training, it would be huge for the team.

Hype of the Spring: Agent Scott Boras telling reporters that “four or five teams” are interested in former Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn. I would like to see Wash come back, but it might be kind of late in the game for that to happen. He would need about a month to get game-ready and the Mariners could use a veteran starter the first 10 days of the season.

In other news:
— Outfielder Ryan Langerhans has some stiffness in his left elbow and will be shut down for a couple of days.

— Catchers Eliezer Alfonzo and Guillermo Quiroz were cut, leaving three receivers in camp. Wakamastsu said Rob Johnson and Adam Moore will be the only two catchers on the 25-man roster.

— Right-hander Felix Hernandez is being sent to the Minor Leagues — for his final spring start. That will be on March 31 and the reason for the minor assignment is because the Mariners play the Rangers, the first weekend of the regular season in Arlington and Felix will pitch the middle game of the three-game series.

— The Mariners re-signed pitcher Yusmeiro Petit, a waiver claim from the D-Backs in November and released last week.

Now for today’s lineup against the Reds:

1. Ichiro, RF
2. Chone Figgins, 2B
3. Jose Lopez, 3B
4. Ken Griffey Jr. DH
5. Eric Byrnes, LF
6. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
7. Ryan Garko, 1B
8. Rob Johnson, C
9. Jack Wilson, SS
   Luke French, P

— Jim Street