PEORIA, Ariz. ? Bob Melvin has spent the last three months shaking hands and posing for photos. Finally, it’s time to put on his new uniform as manager of the Seattle Mariners and get to work.

“I’ve done everything except what they hired me to do,” he said. “I’m very, very anxious to get on the field.”

The Mariners are getting an early start on spring training. Catchers and pitchers reported Sunday, and workouts begin today as Seattle prepares for a season-opening series in Japan against the Oakland Athletics.

For Melvin, hired to replace the departed Lou Piniella, this day couldn’t have come soon enough.

“I’m still sleeping, but not as much,” he said.

Melvin takes over the Mariners after four seasons as a major league bench coach, the last two with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played 10 years in the majors with seven teams, a journeyman catcher who had a career .233 batting average.

Now, he’s managing at age 41, only one year ahead of Mariners players Edgar Martinez and Jamie Moyer. And he’s replacing the colorful Piniella, who left for Tampa Bay after last season to live closer to his family.

Melvin was asked if he will throw hats or kick bases, as Piniella did.

“I really don’t know,” Melvin said. “I know I’m going to be very positive and upbeat. I know I’m going to stick up for our players. How upset and what I’m going to do, that’s uncharted waters.”

For months, Melvin has had the Mariners on his mind.

Around the house, ideas often pop into his head. Maybe it’s the batting order or how a pitcher threw in certain situations last season, and Melvin often stops whatever he’s doing to glance at statistics.

“It almost makes your head spin,” he said. “You have so many left-right options here. You have so many guys who can play different positions. I had a whole notebook. I finally quit doing it.

“This team is trying to win a World Series. Some of my experiences in Arizona, depending on the time and situation, I do have that to draw from. And this is a similar club to what we had in Arizona, a veteran club.”