Ken

Cloude

Cloude, who left after the first inning of Thursday’s game, missed three weeks in June with a similar injury.

''If Cloudie is going to break with the club out of spring training, he’s going to have to be able to pitch in the middle,’' pitching coach Bryan Price said. ''We need to be comfortable knowing he has the durability to start or relieve.’' Rafael Soriano will start in Cloude’s place.

Cloude has given up just one run in seven innings this spring. Gil Meche is still likely to be the Mariners’ fifth starter, but Cloude and Jamey Wright could make it a difficult decision. Rafael Soriano has also been very good, but he’s likely to act as a reliever if he makes the Mariners.

Cloude, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 1999, was given a chance to win a spot in the Seattle rotation last spring, but he lost out to Gil Meche. The 28-year-old then battled injuries at Triple-A Tacoma and had a 5.95 ERA in 17 starts and four relief appearances. He’s a big longshot at this point.