PEORIA, Ariz. - Richie Sexson looked exhausted -- and not just because he was drenched in sweat from an early morning workout.

The Mariners' first baseman had been up for nights at his spring training home in Scottsdale with his 18-month-old daughter Ayla, who has had croup cough. Then his oldest child, 2 1/2-year-old son Gavin, developed what Sexson called "a touch of pneumonia."

Mariners manager John McLaren sent Sexson home for the day before the rest of team took the field at 9:30 a.m. for the final workout day before exhibition games begin.

Sexson said he just needed "to get through" Wednesday at home with his wife, Kerry, to take the kids to the doctor, and that he expected to rejoin the team Thursday. The Mariners' first exhibition game is Thursday afternoon, the annual charity game against San Diego.

Jarrod Washburn is starting for Seattle, with fellow rotation member Miguel Batista relieving him. R.A. Dickey, a candidate with Horacio Ramirez for the long-relief and spot-starting roles, is also scheduled to pitch, before relievers Eric O'Flaherty and Brandon Morrow.

RUN! RUN!: Former Mariners infielder and base stealer Rich Amaral tutored Ichiro Suzuki, Adrian Beltre and Yuniesky Betancourt for 45 minutes on a back field on base running and stealing bases. Each day, three position players will work with Amaral to reinforce McLaren's directive this season for an increased emphasis on running.

McLaren says exhibition games may include many Mariners getting thrown out trying to take extra bases or getting caught stealing in preparation for the regular season.

"We need to see who is capable of running," he said.

Expect Willie Bloomquist to be running more than he did last season. McLaren was afraid to use him in that role because he needed to save the valued utility man for other jobs -- such as a late-game defensive replacement. This season, Seattle has recently signed veteran Miguel Cairo to alternate running and defense roles off the bench with Bloomquist.

"I really think Cairo's a nice piece to the puzzle," McLaren said. "I can see situations where Bloomquist or Cairo pinch-run for our first baseman (mainly Sexson) and stay in the game."

SAFETY FIRST: Thursday will be the first day first-base coach Eddie Rodriguez and third-base coach Sam Perlozzo will be wearing protective helmets while in the coaches' boxes, in accordance with new major league rules in the wake of the on-field death last year of minor league coach Mike Coolbaugh. He was the victim of a line drive to the neck.

"You know what? Safety first," McLaren said. "And our guys are supporting it."

With some mocking laughs.

Perlozzo looked like Bob the Builder, the cartoon contractor, while trying on a blue helmet with no ear flaps before Wednesday's drills.

"Anyone need any construction work done?" a chucking Perlozzo asked.

McLaren said, laughing, "I am anxious to see a couple of coaches in the league, without naming names, to see how they look in helmets."