Felix has rocky winter ball debut

SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez’s early start to his winter pitching plans got off to a rough beginning on Thursday in Venezuela, but the Mariners’ ace is just getting underway with a program designed to have him ready to pitch competitively in the World Baseball Classic in March.

Hernandez — pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League for the first time since 2003, when he was just starting his pro career at age 17 — gave up two runs on two hits and two walks in one inning of work for Magallanes in a game at Margarita Island.

Robinson Cano also made his winter ball debut on Thursday, playing designated hitter for Estrellas in a Dominican Winter League game against Escogido.

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Hernandez and Cano, along with Mariners teammate Nelson Cruz, are expected to play winter ball over the next 3-4 weeks to get them ready to compete for their countries in the World Baseball Classic, which is held in the middle of Spring Training from March 7-22.

Hernandez will be brought along slowly as he builds up his arm strength. He was scheduled to throw about two innings or 30 pitches in his debut, but wound up lasting just one frame as command issues led to trouble.

The 30-year-old walked two of the first …

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