Thursday Off However Roster Be Set on Friday.

The Seattle Mariners have two remaining spring training games against the Colorado Rockies before heading to Houston to start the season against the Astros. The Mariners will face the Astros in a four game series before going to Anaheim to take on the Angels before opening up at Safeco Field against the Astros once again for three games. It is important that the Mariners get off to a good start.

The Mariners will announce their twenty-five man roster starting the season most likely on Friday. The starting lineup will probably be in there for the beginning of both games against the Rockies however we will see minor leaguers throughout both games.

The question we have right now is what’s up with Drew Smyly. He was supposed to start Friday’s game for his last tune up before the season begins but manager Scott Servais said on Wednesday while doing a bullpen session Smyly looked soggy. No one really knows what that means and whether he will be able to start his first game of the season or not. Today he is expected to see a doctor to find out what is really going on. No one is sure whether he will miss his opening game or even be out for a couple starts or more. Whatever the case not  great news even if he is able to start his opening spot in the rotation; I am sure if he isn’t able to start next week either Wednesday or Thursday we will probably see Ariel Maranda pitching instead. Although he was optioned to triple A Servais said that Maranda was the sixth starter on the staff. The only other option I would see pitching in Smyly’s spot is Dillon Overton who had an outstanding start last Saturday. Both Maranda and Overton are lefties just like Smyly.

As far as position players go the only spot to decide should be the backup outfielder. If it were me I would take Guillermo Heredia as the fourth outfielder however they may add Ben Gamel to the roster instead. Both could make the roster if the Mariners decided to go with seven relief pitchers in the bullpen instead of eight.

Speaking of the bullpen the Mariners have five relievers already counted toward making the opening roster. One of the remaining relievers will be a second lefty and at least one right hander.  There is a possibility that the second right hander could be someone who isn’t in Mariner’s camp as of yet. Other words the Mariners could make a trade for another reliever or take someone off waivers from another team. Knowing general manager Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott Servais we might be surprised and most likely will. Anyway we all look forward to Monday and the start to 2017 Mariner baseball season. Go M’s.