Felix Hernandez was among 35 Mariners pitchers and catchers reporting to camp on Tuesday, and general manager Jack Zduriencik said the club is in "real positive" negotiations with the staff ace on a contract extension.

Reports have been circulating since Thursday that Hernandez had agreed to or was close to a deal that would lock him up with the Mariners for the next seven years. Zduriencik didn't offer any specifics, but he indicated things were progressing in talks between the two parties.

"It's no secret we've been in negotiations," Zduriencik said. "We've had really good discussions with his two representatives -- Scotty Pucino and Wil Polidor, and myself and [assistant GM] Jeff Kingston and [executive vice president] Bart Waldman have engaged, I would say, significantly.