King Felix Makes Exhibition Game Debut Today

For everyone that plans to go to Mariners spring training this is the best time to show up. The Mariners are now almost half way through the spring training games and Felix makes his debut.

Felix has been pitching in the bullpen along with facing minor league players however he now will pitch in one or two major league exhibition games. Most likely his last game before the start of regular season will be against a minor league team as well. Felix usually doesn’t take as much time as the other starting pitchers to get ready for the regular season. I am pretty sure he is ready to go right now. Since he pitches over two hundred innings a season he can’t be overworked during spring training. It has worked for him so far I see no problem keeping it this way. I found that there should be no problem getting an autograph from Felix. Usually the best time is in the morning around 10 am.

The Mariners first base candidate for right handed platoon hitter was narrowed down on Sunday. Gabby Sanchez was released by the Mariners. He was signed to a minor league contract however the Mariners felt they had no place for him. At this point it will allow him to catch on with another organization. The main two candidates are Jesus Montero and Dae-Ho Lee. Stefan Romero who is having a really good training camp is another possibility though he hasn’t played much first base. If he doesn’t make the club out of spring training I expect that he will play a lot of first base in Triple A. He still has an option to be sent down. I expect the Mariners will see him some time during the regular season if he doesn’t start the season with them. Another candidate who is having very good spring training is Ed Lucas. He has been playing a lot of third base during spring training however he has played almost every position on the field so he could be another choice. He may start the season in triple A as well. He is a veteran triple A player who isn’t ready to retire yet so like Romero he will probably play with the Mariners at some point in the season. This is especially true if injury happens to Kyle Seager and he is out for a while.

The Mariners picked up catcher Rob Brantly on waivers from the Chicago White Sox on Saturday. He actually has gotten into two games with the Mariners right away. He is left handed hitter who will compete as the backup catcher with Steve Clevenger. I saw on line yesterday that the New York Mets are looking for a backup catcher so maybe the Mariners could trade Clevenger to the Mets for someone especially since he is out of options.  Brantly is also out of options so if he doesn’t make the ball club he will have to go back on waivers ago.

The Seattle Mariners have moved left handed starting pitcher Mike Montgomery to the bullpen. Montgomery had a real good outing starting in a split squad game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. The Mariners are concerned about Charlie Furbush who hasn’t been in a game as of yet. They are not sure whether he will be ready or not. He is the number one lefty out of the bullpen. The Mariners have only two other lefties in major league camp Vidal Nuno and David Rollins. Nuno has the best chance making the squad as one of the two lefties. He can pitch either one inning or longer. Rollins though was a rule 5 draft pick last year however he did not have a good season like most of the bullpen. Not really sure he is ready for prime time as of yet. He most likely choice to start in triple A and be ready for call up if necessary. Montgomery never has been a reliever so it will be a new experience for him however it is the best chance for him to make the ball club since he is only giving the Mariners depth in the starting rotation. Also he is out of options as well. When Charlie Furbush came to the Mariners from the Detroit Tigers he had only starting pitching experience as well so it is possible that Montgomery could transition over to relief. I would not be surprised if the Mariners go out and gets a veteran reliever before spring training ends especially the concern for Furbush is real. If Furbush can only pitch a couple days a week I believe he is still better than what they can get for a second reliever. If the Mariners do go out for another lefty reliever it should be a number one whether Furbush is ready or not.

Let you know that the Mariners game is on Root Sports starting at 1 pm so you can see Felix pitch for three innings. I am sure most of the starting nine will be in the game to. Go Mariners!