Rob Whalen

I heard general manager Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners that pitcher Rob Whalen has a good shot to make the opening day roster for the team.  He has been one of the big surprised in training camp for the Mariners. Last year he pitched very little and left the team because of depression. He is one of these good stories that come out every year it seems. At this time it seems he has overcome his demons and taking medication. I know what it means to have depression because of my life experiences. Fortunately mine hasn’t been a medical issue like his seems to be.

The likelihood is that Whalen will start the season as the long reliever depending on the status of the Mariner starters. Right now the starters look to be James Paxton, Mike Leake, Felix Hernandez, Marco Gonzales and Erasmo Ramirez. The Mariners don’t need the fifth starter until about the middle of April so they do hope that Ramirez who just started throwing will be ready to go however if he isn’t than Whalen could take his spot in the rotation until Ramirez is available.

Ariel Miranda who is another candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation or long reliever started on Thursday night against the Oakland A’s in the Mariners win 6-2. He gave up the Mariners two only runs pitching four innings. He had five hits walked a batter and struck out four.

Miranda was followed in the game by Mike Morin who recently was put on waivers before being sent down to the minors. Nick Vincent who just started pitching in games went in games went an inning didn’t give up a hit and struck out one. He was followed by Edwin Diaz who looked like midseason form striking out all three batters he faced.

The last two pitchers going for the Mariners were Wyatt Mills and Ryan Cook who each went an inning as well. They both likely will start the season in Tacoma. They give the depth for the bullpen the Mariners need.

The hitting hero for the Mariners was utility player Taylor Motter who has been using a new style at the plate this spring had a grand slam home run in the third inning and then a double driving in four runs. He and Andrew Romine have been in a good competition for that utility spot for the Mariners. No thinking at this time who will win it out.

Mike Leake who has had solid spring training goes Friday afternoon against the Texas Rangers. We hope that he will be able to extend out to five or six innings.  He is one guy who wants to go seven innings at least in each start when the season starts if he can. At this point he and James Paxton look to be the guys that can go that long while the others if the Mariners can get six innings out of them this will be a good season.