Mariners manager Eric Wedge said David Aardsma (hip) could be back "sooner, rather than later."

The Mariners haven't really set a firm timetable for the closer, and Wedge's comment is pretty vague. But, although it's not clear when Aardsma will return, it's obvious that he's making progress. The right-hander has been throwing bullpen sessions for a week and accompanied the team on their season-opening road trip.

David Aardsma (hip) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session Thursday and "looked good," according to Mariners trainer Rick Griffin.

It was his second bullpen session since undergoing hip surgery. While he's not on a strict throwing schedule yet, he's obviously making progress. Aardsma will likely be sidelined until at least the end of April, which means Brandon League will handle save chances for now.

Mariners placed RHP David Aardsma on the 15-day disabled list with a hip injury.

Aardsma is still in recovery mode from January hip surgery and is not expected to rejoin the M's until the end of April. He threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. Brandon League needs to be owned in all fantasy leagues.

David Aardsma (hip) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Tuesday in Mariners camp.

Aardsma reported no problems with his surgically-repaired hip. He was on crutches and barely able to walk as recently as two weeks ago, but everything is moving in the right direction now. The veteran right-hander is aiming for a mid-April return. Brandon League will handle save chances while he's out.

Mariners trainer Rick Griffin said Tuesday that David Aardsma (hip) will pitch from a mound next week.

Aardsma is slowly working his way back from January surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. The Mariners have yet to place a firm timetable on his return, but he is expected to be sidelined until around late-April or early-May. Brandon League will handle save chances during his absence.

David Aardsma (hip) played catch Wednesday for the first time since his January hip surgery.

"He felt good, so it was a good start," said Mariners trainer Rick Griffin. Aardsma still has a long way to go before he can be considered fully recovered and is not expected to pitch in a regular season game until at least mid-April. Brandon League will take care of save opportunities for however long the 29-year-old is sidelined.

David Aardsma (hip) has yet to be cleared to begin throwing.

Aardsma has finally shed his crutches last week, but is still waiting for the green light to begin throwing. "Nothing new," said Aardsma. "I'm just doing my work. I just keep my head out of it and try to get better every day and not worry about when I'm throwing. That's just where I'm at. It will happen eventually and that will be great." The Mariners initially hoped that Aardsma would be able to return by mid-April, but that timeline looks pretty optimistic right now. Brandon League is a must-own at this point.

David Aardsma walked unassisted onto the field on Wednesday for first time since undergoing hip surgery in December.

Aardsma still carried his crutches, just in case, but feels he is making steady progress from surgery. "I've been putting more weight on my legs and hips each day for awhile now, but the first 25 feet I walked without crutches? That was a great feeling," said Aardsma. "The work continues." There's still no timetable for him to start throwing, let alone get on a mound, so he still may miss the early part of the season. Keep Brandon League in mind in all formats.

David Aardsma (hip) said he expects to be able to put full weight on his left leg in a couple more days.

Aardsma still needs crutches to get around most of the time, however he was able to walk approximately 50 feet to the showers on Monday without any assistance. "That doesn't mean I'm off the crutches on Wednesday," said Aardsma. "It just means I'm close," he said. "If I get sore, I'll need to back off. They said that is probably going to happen." Barring a rapid recovery, Aardsma will likely begin the season on the disabled list, which means that Brandon League is a must-own in all formats.

David Aardsma (hip) began trying to walk without crutches Wednesday.

Aardsma could only put about 30 percent of his weight down before feeling discomfort and is still expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season. Brandon League will fill in at closer and needs to be drafted in all fantasy leagues. League will retain his value if Aardsma returns healthy and is then traded in mid-summer.

David Aardsma (hip) is expected to miss at least the first two weeks of the regular season.

His recovery is going well, but he won't get off crutches until next week and simply isn't likely to have enough time to be ready for Opening Day. "Next week I'll start the process of walking, and once I can put my full weight on my leg I can start throwing," Aardsma said. "By that, I mean really throwing, not sitting on a chair. Then a couple of weeks after that, I can start letting it go. The big thing is putting all my weight on my leg." Brandon League will be the ninth inning man for the Mariners until Aardsma is ready.

David Aardsma (hip) is expected to be ready to pitch in live games by the second week of the regular season.

That timetable, of course, is subject to change. Aardsma underwent surgery on his left hip in January that was more extensive than the Mariners had hoped it would have to be and he could always hit a few setbacks. Brandon League should be drafted in fantasy leagues not only for his value early on, but also because he could retain value if Aardsma is traded mid-summer.

Mariners and RHP David Aardsma avoided arbitration Tuesday by agreeing to a one-year contract.

Terms haven't been released, but Aardsma was due to get a raise from the $2.75 million he made through the arbitration process last winter. The Mariners were shopping Aardsma this offseason in an effort to shed his rising salary, but his recent hip surgery put the kibosh on all that, at least for now. Though Aardsma is optimistic about his recovery from surgery, his status for the start of the season is a legitimate question mark.

David Aardsma (hip) said Monday that he is still planning to begin a throwing program in four weeks.

Aardsma's left hip surgery was a bit more extensive than planned, but the righty is still on his initial rehab pace and could be ready by Opening Day if setbacks are avoided. For now, though, Brandon League will enter spring training as the M's primary closer. He should be drafted alongside Aardsma in most leagues because he will regain value if the 29-year-old is traded.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said David Aardsma's hip surgery to repair a torn labrum was more extensive than first expected and that the right-hander might not be ready for Opening Day.

Any hopes of trading Aardsma are now gone, as the Mariners had been hoping to clear some budget space while acquiring more talent. Brandon League should be considered as the in-house favorite for saves while he recovers, though Dan Cortes and Josh Lueke may also get a look during spring training.

David Aardsma is expected to resume throwing just four weeks after his upcoming left hip surgery.

The M's announced Thursday that Aardsma is going to have a sudden hip procedure on Monday, but they're expected that he will be fully rehabbed and ready to close on Opening Day. That seems a bit optimistic, but we are still over three months away from first pitch. If he's not ready for live action right away, look for Brandon League to see early save opportunities in Seattle.

David Aardsma will undergo surgery Monday in Vail, Colorado to repair a torn labrum in his left hip.

That's not good. The Mariners were looking to trade the 29-year-old closer this offseason, but they'll have to scrap those plans now and may have to begin the 2011 regular season without him. Brandon League would probably close if Aardsma isn't rested and rehabbed by Opening Day.

Multiple sources tell Thomas Harding of MLB.com that the Mariners are seeking an "impact bat" in exchange for David Aardsma.

The Rockies have expressed interest in Aardsma, but Harding is told that the club isn't a fit. Aardsma, who turns 29 next week, earned $2.75 million this past season and is expected to see his salary jump to the $4-5 million range through the arbitration process this winter.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have expressed interest in Mariners reliever David Aardsma.

The Rockies are hoping to add one more right-handed reliever to their bullpen and there aren't many available after this week's run on setup men. Aardsma has compiled a 2.90 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over the last two seasons in Seattle and the M's may be looking to dump his expected $4-$5 million salary for 2011. He is arbitration-eligible and made $2.75 million last year.

Sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com that the Mariners are trying to trade David Aardsma.

Part of the motivation, according to Rosenthal, is likely due to how much Aardsma could make through the arbitration process this winter. He earned $2.75 million in 2010, so his salary is expected to jump to the $4-5 million range. Aardsma, who turns 29 later this month, has a 2.90 ERA over the past two seasons, averaging 9.6 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9. If Aardsma is traded, Rosenthal writes that Kevin Gregg could be a potential replacement.