This Week in Spring Training

Last Tuesday was when the Mariner pitchers and catchers started in spring training and the regular players started on Sunday. This is the week that the players will continue getting ready for playing time. Some players like Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz will be playing the World Baseball Classic coming up soon.

Felix has thrown batting practice a couple times already. Like most of the pitchers he will be having short spirts throwing pitches. The first game coming up for the Mariners will be on this next Saturday February 25. At this point we will start seeing how everyone is doing. I am sure most will look forward to see how the new players are doing along with the key players.

General Manager Jerry Dipoto has brought in several left handed relievers though the two spots should be taken up by Marc Rzepczynski and Ariel Maranda. Rzepczynski is expected to be left handed short reliever specialist while Maranda will pitch long relief. The Mariners will have Maranda starting several games during spring training just in case they need him to start early in the rotation. This will depend on the health of the five pitchers in the starting rotation.  The Mariners have a lot of confidence in Miranda at this time so he will likely start some games as well in the bullpen.

Nick Hagadone left hander out of Sumner, Washington was signed recently on a minor league contract. He didn’t pitch last season however was with the Cleveland Indians in 2015. He should start the season with the Tacoma Rainiers to add depth. Another lefty expected to start the season with the Rainiers is Paul Fry who pitched last year there as well. He was in 48 games for the Rainiers last season with an era of 2.78. He was drafted by the Mariners in 2013 in the 17^th round. He could see some action with the Mariners during this upcoming season.

Another lefty the Mariners got was in the trade with the Arizona Diamondback for TaiJuan Walker and Marte in Zac Curtis. He is expected to start the season in Tacoma as well. His success could swing the trade really into the Mariners favor.

So depending how spring training goes the Mariners may have three lefties in Tacoma to bring up if Miranda goes into the starting rotation at some point in the season.

Look forward to see how everything goes throughout spring training. Besides the depth in the pitching there is

the utility player position that will be interesting to see who wins the spot along with the outfield. Right now everyone is in camp except Leonys Martin. This will allow the outfielders to have more action and be seen by the coaching staff. Go M’s.