Spring Training Begins

Today February 14 the pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Today will be physicals and then tomorrow they start throwing and other exercises.

The pitching staff for the Seattle Mariners this coming season is not a lot of surprises. The starting rotation is pretty much in order and the bullpen is to.

The catchers are the same like the pitchers where Mike Zunino is expected to be the starter and Carlos Ruiz his backup. The only change would be if one of the two gets hurt. Tuffy Gosewisch the Mariners picked up on waivers will likely start in Tacoma. Jesus Sucre who spent last season when he became healthy with Tacoma and then came up in September was traded to Tampa Bay. The reason was that he was out of options. Like Seattle he is added depth for catching for Tampa Bay. He may start the season in triple A unless an injury occurs.

The Mariners starting pitching will be Felix Hernandez who the Mariners hope and expect to return to top form than followed by James Paxton and Iwakuma. They picked up Drew Smyly from Tampa Bay as the second lefty and Yovani Gallardo from Baltimore for outfielder Seth Smith. Smyly and Gallardo are not typical fourth and fifth starters. Ariel Miranda who ended last season as the fifth starter will likely be the second lefty in the bullpen as long reliever and will start when necessary.

Speaking of the bullpen Marc Rzepczynski will be the left handed specialist who the Mariners signed as a free agent. Since Charlie Furbush is now a free agent and not expected to pitch at all this season the Mariners felt it was necessary to pick up a left handed pitcher the bullpen.

Having Miranda and Rzepczynski as the two lefties this will leave five right handed pitchers in the bullpen. Edwin Diaz is expected to be the closer while Steve Cishek will be the primary setup man in the eighth inning. He may close as well when Diaz needs a rest. Because of off-season surgery he may not start the season so there is a spot for someone to make the opening roster.

Evan Scribner who an excellent September after being out all season should have a good position being the first right handed pitcher coming in the sixth inning; also Nick Vincent who had a good season when he wasn’t hurt should come in the seventh inning. That leaves one spot open other than who could take Cishek spot when the season begins.

Dan Altavilla who came up in August gave up one run in fifteen appearance has the best shot. He throws the ball hard like Diaz so he could be used as a closer to when needed. Another one is Shae Simmons who the Mariners picked up from the Atlanta Braves. He is another hard thrower. He probably will take Cishek’s spot at the beginning of the season.

I will be looking at some of the other pitchers are competing for spots on the Mariner’s roster though they likely will be starting the season in triple A. Also they could be used in trades to add depth with other pitchers or players as well. So we can say “Let it begin”. Go M’s.