On Friday the Seattle Mariners play their first spring training game against the San Diego Padres. Manager Scott Servais that since the regular players just started on Tuesday that not all of them will be in the lineup. He did announce a starting lineup of Dee Gordon in center and leading off. He will be followed by shortstop Jean Segura. Third baseman Kyle Seager will bat third and Mike Zunino at clean up. Ben Gamel will bat fifth and in left field followed by Daniel Vogelbach at designated hitter. The last three in the lineup will be Cameron Perkins in right field, Mike Ford at first base and ending with utility player Andrew Romine at second base. The Mariners have indicated three pitchers who will pitch in the game. It starts with Ariel Miranda and then Andrew Moore. A third pitcher will be Christian Bergman. With Erasmo Ramirez on the side lines right now this gives these three to show their stuff to make the rotation.
Far as major league experience Ariel Miranda has the most experience of the three. Last season he was supposed to start in Tacoma but because of injuries to the starting pitch for example Drew Smyly he started the season with the Mariners. He ended up starting more games than any other pitcher on the staff. He pitched in thirty-one games and started twenty-nine of them. There is a good possibility that Miranda could take Ramirez spot at the beginning of the season if he isn’t ready to go. Where the Mariners hope that Miranda improves is in giving up home runs. Last year he gave up thirty-seven home runs which was the most in the major league. We do see a lot of potential in Miranda so after having one full season under his belt he could be ready to do more. So Friday can be the beginning of it all. Miranda has a good spring and the Mariners feel he could be the fourth or fifth starter if Ramirez isn’t ready to start. In this case Ramirez could start the season in the bullpen. He has the most experience any of the guys who could be a long reliever since he spent time in the bullpen with the Tampa Bay Rays before coming back to the Mariners last year. Miranda could be the long reliever as well if Ramirez is ready to start. Whatever the case Miranda is help for the Mariners when it comes to depth.
Andrew Moore who is scheduled to pitch Friday as well is another one in the mix for the fifth starter. Last year was his first season pitching in triple A before being called up to Seattle. He had his moments in the starting rotation well as struggling. He is only twenty-three years old so if he has to spend another season in Tacoma the Mariners probably will benefit in the long run however he will probably make several starts for the Mariners over the long season. This is especially true if the Mariners do decide to go with a six-man rotation in the second half of the season.
The third one of the trio is Christian Bergman he started eight games for the Mariners and five other times in the bullpen. He is the longest shot to take Ramirez place in the rotation. Likely he will start the season in Tacoma unless he is released by the Mariners. Being in Tacoma his call up for the Mariners likely will be as a long reliever because they need a fresh arm or for a spot start. I am sure the Mariners hope this will not need to take this season.
No other pitchers were announced to pitch in the first game. Miranda, Moore and Bergman probably won’t pitch no more then two innings being the first outing for them all. Mike Leake will start on Saturday followed by Marco Gonzales on Sunday. Felix will make his first start on Monday and James Paxton on Tuesday. At this point all those who are in the competition to be in the five man rotation will have pitched. We will see how all these look after their first outings.
My next post will be after the Mariners first game against the Padres. Any additional news will be mentioned than if something happens. Go M’s.
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