The biggest story in
spring training with two weeks remaining is how many players have been hurt. It
began with pitchers like Erasmo Ramirez and Felix Hernandez along with
outfielder Ben Gamel. In fact the injury to Gamel along with Mitch Haniger
coming slowly the Mariners had to go out and sign former Mariner Ichiro Suzuki
who played in his first spring training game on Sunday. He is expected to share
playing left field with Guillermo Heredia until Gamel gets back. How much he
plays will depend on his hitting. Wednesday night he will start again in left
and leading off but when the season starts likely he will be batting ninth.
On Tuesday night
Nelson Cruz making his first start after being out because of the flu had a hit
in the first inning driving in Dee Gordon to take 1-0 but had to leave the game
because of a right quad strain will miss a few days. He replaced by Dan
Vogelbach who has had a good spring so far including another hit and driving in
a run in Tuesday’s game. He is scheduled to start Wednesday night’s game and
playing first base. Ryon Healy who just started taking batting practice is
expected to play in games next week. If he isn’t able to start the season Vogelbach
looks to be the starting first baseman on day one. Mike Ford the rule 5 player
has driven in some runs including two on Tuesday night doesn’t look to be
making the opening night roster. The odds were against him in the first place
and whether the Mariners will offer him back to the New York Yankees we may
know in a few days.
The two big surprises
in camp have been the pitching of Marco Gonzales who had to leave the game on
Monday because of a line drive that hit his right arm. He said that he will be
able to go for his next scheduled start on Saturday along with Rob Whalen who
started Tuesday. He was the first Mariner starter to go five innings giving up
three hits, one run, one walk and striking out nine. I would say that could put
him in for being the fifth starter depending whether Erasmo Ramirez is ready to
go. Ramirez just started throwing off the mound in the bullpen.
The Mariners had a 3-2
lead going into the eighth inning in Tuesday’s game when minor leaguer Arthur
Warren who had looked good earlier gave up four runs. This was after the
Mariners had scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning. Dan Altavilla
who had excellent spring training had his first bad outing giving up two runs
in bottom of the ninth inning to take the loss for final score of 8-7.
James Paxton will
start Wednesday night against the San Francisco Giants. He has had two poor
outing in his last two starts but isn’t too concerned. The important thing is
that he is ready for the season and doesn’t get hurt in the meantime. Among the
other pitchers who are expected to go in this game only David Phelps is
expected to make the Mariner opening day roster.
Besides Ichiro leading
off he will be followed by Jean Segura at shortstop, Mitch Haniger in right
field, Mike Zunino catching, Dan Vogelbach at first base, Guillermo Heredia in
center field, Taylor Motter at third base, Mike Marjama at designated hitter and
Zach Vincej at second base.
All we hope for the
next two weeks is that no one else gets hurt and those that are will be healed
up besides Gamel. Go M’s.
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