Spring training is now over for the Seattle Mariners as they head to Japan. They have 30 players going to Japan although only 28 will be active for the two games against the Oakland A's. The team will have to trim down to 25 players when they face the Boston Red Sox in the home opener on March 28.
The Mariners are taking three catchers, six infielders, five outfielders, five starting pitchers, and eleven relievers. The 28 active players will probably take off two of the relievers or possibly a reliever and the extra catcher.
Mallex Smith isn't taking the trip to Japan, however, the Mariners are hoping he will be available when they get back to Seattle. So the 25-man roster should be made up of two catchers, six infielders, four outfielders, five starters, and eight relievers. Depending on how things go in Japan the Mariners could go with five outfielders and seven relievers instead.
Ichiro Suzuki and Braden Bishop are the two extra outfielders. Ichiro likely will be the dh in Japan. Mallex Smith isn't ready when the Mariners return to the active roster when the team gets to Seattle the Mariners will have to decide on keeping either Ichiro or Brandon Bishop. I really do hope it is Bishop though I am sure some diehard fans want to keep Ichiro around.
Dylan Moore has made the team as the utility player. He hasn't ever played in the major leagues. The Mariners signed him as a free agent during the off-season. He played for the Colorado Rockies triple-A team last season. With Kyle Seager out he will play some third base in place of Ryon Healy who will get the bulk of playing time. Moore can play outfield as well so may play some in left field on occasion. Manager Scott Servais has a lot of confidence in him.
The Mariners took three lefty relievers in Roenis Alias, Zac Rosscup, and Tommy Milone. I expect when trimmed to 25-man roster Milone will be sent down to Tacoma since he signed a minor league contract and isn't on the 40-man roster.
So how the right-handed relievers turn out will be interesting as they will keep either five or six. Right now they have eight going to Japan.
We will see what happens next.
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