Lewis on IL

We expected it was going to happen, however,
on Wednesday Seattle Mariner manager says
Kyle Lewis will be starting the season on the
injured list.

Scott Servais wants to be sure Kyle Lewis 

will be healthy when he activated to the 

roster so he will start the season on the 

injured list. This means Taylor Trammell

will be playing in center field for the most

part with Kyle Lewis on the shelf. Jake

Fraley will start in left field. Most likely

Fraley will be center field when someone

else starts in left field.

Other news came out Drew Steckenrider

who had pitched for the Miami Marlins

before being hurt and the Mariners acquired

him during the off-season as a non-roster

invitee has made the roster as the last 

pitcher in bullpen. Also, the Mariners are

pushing back James Paxton to pitch in

the fifth game instead of the second game.

Yusei Kikuchi will start in the second game

instead. 

News came out for the Seattle Seahawks 

wide receiver Tyler Lockett signed a new

contract four years for $69 million with

$37 million being guaranteed. I expect 

the Seahawks did this to help this years

salary cap. This may help the Seahawks

sign other players they are still looking

to come on board. Remember linebacker

KJ Wright is still is a free agent. No news

yet whether he will return or not. 

Mariners Spring Training Come To End

The Seattle Mariners have final spring
training game happening on Monday.
Currently 5-5 in the sixth inning against
the Cincinnati Reds. Give details later.
Chris Flexen started for his final tune up.
He will start against the San Francisco
Giants next Saturday.

The roster is pretty much set except 

whether Kyle Lewis will start the 

season or be on the injured list. The

same goes for the bullpen. Domingo

Tapia who has only pitched in two

games may start on the injured list 

as well. If he isn't able to start the

season righthander Drew Steckenrider

a non-roster invitee will be on the 

roster.

If Kyle Lewis isn't on the opening 

day roster Jose Marmolejos is the

one will take his roster spot or could

be Jake Fraley. We will see. Taylor

Trammell will start in center if Lewis

goes on the injured list or in left

field Lewis does start.

The Mariners bullpen looks better 

than last years group. Nick Margevicius,

Anthony Misiewicz will be the two

lefties while the righties will be Kendall

Graveman, Kenyan Middleton, Casey

Sadler, Will Vest, Rafael Montero

closer and Tapia or Steckenrider.

Paxton's Final Tune Up

The Seattle Mariners decided to have James
Paxton start against the San Francisco Giants
on Saturday night though he will be facing
them in the second game of the regular season
next Friday.

Paxton went four innings giving up two hits,

two walks while striking out nine. The Mariners

ended up winning 5-0.

Manager Scott Servais let Taylor Trammell 

know he made the opening day roster. 

Trammell wept and then called his fiancé

along with his parents with the good news.

Also, Will Vest the rule 5 player was told

he made the roster as well so for the time

being he is still a Mariner.

Servais said to that Justin Dunn will be

in the six man rotation to start out with

as well. Equally everything out it allows

the Mariners to have two righties in the

rotation. 

Trammell started again in center field

as Kyle Lewis is still not playing because

of his knee injury. Scott Servais said there

is a possibility that Lewis could be on the

injured list when the season begins so 

someone may make the roster who would

have been sent down. 

Trammell had a great night playing having

two hits including a home run driving in

four of the Mariners five runs.

Jake Fraley continue to improve on his

hitting get a hit along with scoring two

runs including when Trammell hit his

home run.

The Mariners don't play on Sunday and

have final game of camp on Monday

then head to Seattle to start the season

on Thursday. 

If Lewis is out to begin the season likely

Trammell will be in center and Fraley

will start in left.  Go M's. 

Mariners Make A Few Moves

Friday the Mariners made some more moves
before their game against the San Diego in
which they lost 6-3.

The Mariners two top prospects Jarred Kelenic

and Julio Rodriguez were assigned to minor 

league camp along with relievers Brady Lail

and Paul Sewald. Lail was competing for a 

spot in the bullpen, however, at this point 

he down the list.

The Mariners assigned three players to the

alternate site in right hander Ljay Newsome,

lefty Aaron Fletcher, and outfielder Braden

Bishop. Newsome and Fletcher both had

good springs deserved to be on the roster

however had players in their spots ahead

of them. Bishop on the other hand wasn't

a big surprise since he didn't start to many

games and came in late most of the time

he was in games.

The Mariners now down to 33 players I

believe anyway so seven more players 

to cut before opening day on April 1.

The Mariners final spring training game

will be on Monday so expect the remaining

cuts happen by then. 

Ken Giles the Mariners signed before 

training camp started to a two year contract

will miss all of 2021 because of Tommy John

surgery is listed so he will go on the injured

list when the final cuts happen so that leaves

six other players.  

The Mariners right now have nine relievers 

in camp still. So this means the Mariners have

two relievers to cut. They are going with a

eight man bullpen, however, Justin Dunn or

Nick Margevicius competing for the sixth

man in the starting rotation, the loser of the

spot will go into the bullpen. Expect at some

point the one going to the bullpen will make

a start as well during the season. Also, we

should expect Logan Gilbert to be brought

up during the season.  When will depend on

how he is doing in the minors. The minor

league season doesn't start until May though

training camp starts as soon as the major 

leaguers go to Seattle. We may not see

Gilbert until June at the earliest depending

on what is happening in the rotation.

As far as the infield there are eight listed.

Five already have made the opening roster

in first baseman Evan White, second baseman

Dylan Moore, shortstop JP Crawford, third

baseman Kyle Seager, and dh/infielder Ty

France. This leaves three infielders. Shed

Long Jr. hasn't played in any game this

spring so likely he will go on the injured list

or sent to minor league camp. The final two

are Sam Haggerty and Jose Marmolejos.

Haggerty has the best chance of sticking 

because he can play all the infield spots

as well as outfield. The Mariners do need

to have someone to back up JP Crawford

at shortstop which means Haggerty unless

Dylan Moore plays instead and Ty France

is in at second base. Marmolejos can only

play first base and the outfield.

Now we come down to the outfield. The

Mariners have four with Mitch Haniger

and Kyle Lewis as the sure things. The 

other two are Taylor Trammell and Jake

Fraley. One of the two will end up being

the opening day left fielder. They both 

can play center and right field when Lewis

and Haniger need a day off. Also, Sam

Haggerty and Dylan Moore can play

either spot if necessary as well. Marmolejos

is really good in left field though could play

in right if necessary.  So I expect Marmolejos

will be the one not making the opening roster.

We may know the outcome over this weekend.

Friday night Marco Gonzales started; he didn't

have another good game for the second time

in a row. He is the opening day starter for the

Mariners; we hope he pitches better and I expect

he will.  Gonzales went five innings giving up

nine hits and six runs. 

The Mariners went with Joey Gerber and Erik

Swanson next. Gerber went two-thirds of an

an inning while Swanson finished off the inning.

Neither one yield a hit.  Rafael Montero expected

to be the closer and Kendall Graveman finished

off the game going an inning each without giving

up a hit. Gerber and Swanson are competing for

the last two spots in the bullpen. Best to both

of them. Go M's. 

Mariners, Huskies and Seahawks

The Seattle Mariners are now down to three
games remaining in the Cactus League or
we know it as spring training. We may know
who might make the opening roster in left
field, the utility player, the sixth pitcher in
the rotation and the bullpen.

On Thursday afternoon Nick Margevicius

didn't help his cause after having a good 

spring training before this. Whether it makes

a difference or not we will see. Wednesday

night though Justin Dunn didn't help his cause

either. You wonder if the Mariners will change

mind for the sixth spot.

The Mariners ended up losing Thursday 8-5

to the Oakland A's. Margevicius went three 

and one-third innings. He gave up five hits,

four runs, two walks and four strike outs. 

Margevicius gave up two home runs each with

a runner on base. So where the four runs come

in. 

Casey Sadler who looked like he had a good

chance to make the Mariners bullpen later in 

the game gave up four hits and three runs in 

two-thirds of an inning. We will see whether

that hurt him or not regarding being on opening

roster.

The Mariners pretty much had position players

trying to make the ball club or going to the 

minor leagues. Only second baseman Dylan

Moore and catcher Tom Murphy were in the

game. Taylor Trammell who looks like could

be the Mariners opening day left fielder had

the day off. He most likely be in the lineup

on Friday night against the San Diego Padres.

The Washington Huskies men's basketball

program has a big change this week. It first

started with local player Erik Stevenson who

transferred in before the last season decided

to go back into the transfer portal. We will 

let you know where he lands. On Wednesday

sophomore guard Marcus Tsohonis decided 

to go into the transfer portal as well. Sorry

to lose him especially with Stevenson leaving.

On Thursday it was a busy day where two more

Huskies who had transferred in as well decided

to go elsewhere to. Nate Pryor and J'Raan Brooks.

Both these players are local players as well. Outside

of Stevenson the other three players didn't get as

much playing time as they wanted or expected when

coming to Washington.

The Huskies are bringing in two players into the

program in former Seattle U. Terrell Brown Jr.

and small forward Samuel Ariyibi from Nigeria.

The Huskies as you see will have a different look

next season. They still have room to add more players

to the roster as well. So stay tuned!

The Seattle Seahawks have brought back defensive

end Carlos Dunlap signed to a two-year deal. He 

had been released earlier because of the salary cap.

There is word that defensive tackle Jarran Reed is

on his way out either by trade or being released.

The Seahawks have improved their pass rush for

sure. With the depth they have on the defensive line

they will be able to bring players in and out so no 

one over used.  See what happens next for the 

Seahawks.

One Week Until Opening Night

Spring training has less than a week to
go as regular season begins next Thursday
night when the Seattle Mariners take on
the San Francisco Giants at home in
T-Mobile Park.

Going into Wednesday the Mariners still

had 48 roster spots however, they have to

trim to 26 for the regular season. On 

Wednesday though future Mariner

catcher Cal Raleigh and fellow catcher

Jose Godoy were sent to minor league 

camp. Raleigh will likely start at triple-A

Tacoma where the season expected to

start on May 6.

The Mariners announced there home park

T-Mobile Park will be where the players

are being sent for the alternate site. Unlike

last season there won't be nearly as many

players since there will be minor league

seasons. These players assigned will be

those ready to go when there is an injury

to someone on the Mariner roster. There

will be like five additional players travel

with the Mariners team in case of injury

when they are on the road. 

So with Raleigh and Godoy sent down 

this means the Mariners will have to trim

20 more players to meet the 26-man roster.

There is a possibility the Mariners could

pick up a player or two from another team

by the start of the season. This most likely

be someone for the bullpen or an extra

outfielder or utility player. 

Wednesday night the Mariners lost to the

Chicago Cubs 6-2. Justin Dunn started his

final game of training camp. We will see

whether he is the sixth starter or not. If 

not he will come out of the bullpen. Dunn

went three and a third innings which included

giving up four runs along with two home runs.

He continues to struggle walking batters having

three in the game though he did strike out seven.

Anthony Misiewicz expected to be the short

left-handed reliever went two solid inning without

giving up a hit or a run. Also, Kendall Graveman

went an inning giving up one run. Including the

four mentioned in yesterday's post that leaves

two other spots remaining in the eight-man 

rotation. One will be closer Rafael Montero

the Mariners picked up in a trade from the 

Texas Rangers during the off-season and 

either Justin Dunn or Nick Margevicius.

The Mariners have four remaining spring 

training games including Thursday against

the Oakland A's where Margevicius will

start his final game of the season. News 

came out James Paxton will start in a

B game on Saturday since the Mariners 

take on the San Giants who they start the

season so they don't want the Giants to

see Paxton twice. 

Taylor Trammell having a great spring

training had a long solo home run on

Wednesday night. Right now he looks

like the guy who will start in left field.

Jake Fraley also competing for left

field had two hits in the game as well.

We should learn in the next couple days

who wins the left field spot. Go M's. 

 

Flexen and More

Chris Flexen came back on Tuesday night
after having a bad outing in his previous
start. The Mariners ended up shutting out
the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-0.

Flexen ended up going five innings giving

up three hits a walk and four strike outs.

Right now hard to know how Flexen will

do during the regular season. Though he

will likely start the second or third game

of the season doesn't mean he is one of

the Mariners top pitchers; he just happens

to be one of the few righthanders in the

rotation. The Mariners will be going with

four or possibly five lefties.

I mention last post begin with the bullpen.

In Tuesday night's game the Mariners used

four relievers for one inning each. All four

may be among the eight relievers who come

north next week. 

Keynan Middleton the Mariners signed as

a free agent during the off-season is pretty

much a sure thing. He likely will be pitching

in the eighth inning unless he needs to close

on occasion.

Erik Swanson former starter turned into

reliever was the first out of the bullpen on

Tuesday. He is having an ok spring training

so he will likely take one of the last bullpen

spots. If not he might be in the extended

training along with Yohan Ramirez. Hard

to know how many pitchers they will have

in the extended training.

Will Vest pitched after Swanson on Tuesday

night. He is the rule 5 pick this off-season.

The Mariners like what they see out of him,

however, he has to be on the roster on opening

day or the Mariners will have to give back to

Detroit if they want him. Actually he will have 

to be on the roster all season long. Vest role

right now could be the first reliever coming

into the game or be in a clean up role.

Casey Sadler closed the game Tuesday night.

The Mariners picked up Sadler last September

from the Chicago Cubs. He is having a very 

good spring training. It looks like he will be

on the opening roster. He could be pitching in

the seventh or eighth inning.

So that is a look at four relievers we will see

on the opening day. The Mariners will be going

with eight relievers total. Next time we will look

at the other four relievers plus one or two others

making up the last reliever to make the squad.

News from the Seahawks they signed free agent

defensive end Kerry Hyder formerly of the 

San Francisco 49ers to a three year contract.

Every year it seems the Seahawks are looking 

for a defensive end to help out. We hope Hyder

will work out. 

More Roster Moves For Mariners

The Seattle Mariners made some moves
to there roster on Monday before taking
on the LA Dodgers in the evening. The
Mariners crushed the Dodgers 7-3 including
three home runs.

Justus Sheffield had an ok start going four 

and two-thirds innings. He gave up two 

runs on a home run by former Mariner

Chris Taylor. It has been a good spring

for Taylor who hit his fourth home run

of the spring while hitting .419.

Reliever Yohan Ramirez and infielder

Donovan Walton were sent to alternative

site. This will allow them to be available

soon if necessary. Ramirez only had one

pitching appearance because of Covid.

The Mariners released reliever Gerson

Batista. He missed all of last season. I 

hope he is able to hook up with another

team.

Now the Mariners have 48 players still 

in camp so almost half players to move

before opening roster on April 1 of 26.

In regards to March Madness it is nice 

to see five teams still going in the sweet

sixteen. Gonzaga, USC, Oregon, Oregon

State and UCLA. 

James Paxton Looks Good

James Paxton made his first start in a spring
training game. Up until now he had pitched
in several simulated games. So don't worry
right now he will be ready to go when the
season begins. Paxton will either start game
two or three.

Paxton went four and one-third innings 

giving up only two hits and a run which

happened in the first inning. Paxton walked

two batters, however, struck out eight which

is a good sign too.

The Mariners ended up beating the Milwaukee

Brewers on Sunday 3-1. All three runs were 

solo home runs by outfielders Jarred Kelenic

in second inning, Julio Rodriguez in the seventh

and third baseman Jantzen Witte in the eighth.

All three players likely will start the season

in the minor leagues.

I heard on the Mariner Radio Network  manager

Scott Servais said the player who wins the left

field spot should happen by the end of this week.

The main candidates are Jake Fraley, Taylor

Trammell and Jarred Kelenic. It will be interesting

to see who wins it. Taylor Trammell looks to be

the favorite right now.

This week will look at the bullpen as we are getting

close to the end of spring training with the season 

to begin on Thursday April 1. 

A Bump In the road

It is really hard to know how significant
something happens during spring training.

The Mariners were leading 5-2 going into

the bottom of the seventh inning when

reliever Joey Gerber gave up four runs that

led to the victory for Rangers 6-4.

Joey Gerber looked like someone who 

might win the final spot in the bullpen.

Whether the four runs will cost him a

spot to begin the season or not we won't

know for a little while. The Mariners may

be so impressed by Gerber this bump in

the road may not mean anything. 

Gerber seems like someone who has a

lot of confidence in himself. It may

depend on how tight the final spot is

in as well. 

Mitch Haniger was in the leadoff spot

once again so there is a good possibility

he will have the spot when the season

begins. Haniger can hit anywhere in the

lineup however right now that is the

spot the Mariners may need him to be.

He had two hits on the night including

a home run. 

Speaking of a home run Ty France had

his fifth of the spring as he continues to

hit well. He is right up with Corey Seager

as being the top performer at the plate.

France currently hit .424. We hope this

more than for the spring but he has hit

well since becoming a member of the

Mariners. We look forward to a good

season from France.

Kyle Seager is having a good spring as

well so running in the family this year.

He is batting .414 with a couple hits in

this game as well. We can't expect it to

keep going like this but having a solid

season from Kyle would be nice.

Like most spring training the record

doesn't always look good though some

players are having good spring training.

The important thing is to be ready for

the opening of the season with some

good players on the roster. 

If you haven't heard Shed Long's name 

he has been hurt this spring with his

right  shin. Hard to know whether he 

will get into any games during the spring

or he will be starting the season on the

injured list. More details forthcoming

it looks like. Go M's. 

Getting Ready For Opening Night

Marco Gonzales didn't have a good
game on Friday night but he is getting
ready for opening night and that is
what counts.

Marco gave up five runs in the second

inning. It included a three-run homer.

He left the game for throwing more 

than twenty pitches then returned in

the third inning under the rules of

spring training. 

The Mariners were able to comeback

after being behind 5-1 to win 7-6.

Not sure it will happen very often

during the regular season however 

it would be nice.

The bullpen did a fine job giving up 

only one run in four and 1/3 innings.

We are hoping with several new 

pitchers added to the bullpen it will

be good enough to add more victories

during the 2021 season.

We know over the last few seasons

the bullpen has not helped out a 

whole lot for sure. It will be important

the starters go deep enough to keep

the bullpen rested. Going at least

six innings for the rotation let it

be that way. Having a six-man

rotation should keep the starters

fresh as well.

Mariners had four players having

two hits in the game in Mitch Haniger,

Kyle Seager, Kyle Lewis and Jarred

Kelenic. Haniger had a triple while

Kelenic had a double and Lewis a

home run. Kelenic ran the bases as

though his injury isn't affecting his

running the bases too much. Kelenic

played in center field while Lewis

was at dh for the game.

Outside Kelenic the Mariners had

most of there starting players in the

lineup. The question is well Kelenic

start the season in Seattle or not.

We still have almost two weeks

for the answer.   Go M's. 

In other sport news there was talk

Chris Carson would go to the Miami

Dolphins however he actually signed

back up with the Seahawks on a two-

year deal so it looks like he will still

be the primary running back. 

Justin Dunn Rough Start

The Seattle Mariners beat the San Francisco
Giants Thursday night 6-3, however, Justin
Dunn had a tough time getting out of the
third inning. Dunn continued to have
problem walking batters as he walked
three giving up one hit in two and 2/3
innings. This led two three runs. It
would be good if he won the starting
spot or Ljay Newsome since a second
right hander in the rotation would be
good.

Nick Margevicius continues to have a

great spring. He went four innings,

giving up four hits, no walks and 

striking out six batters. He certainly

deserves a chance to start, but do the

Mariners need five lefties in the rotation.

Aaron Fletcher is having a good spring

training giving a good chance to be the

short lefty reliever out of the bullpen.

He pitched one inning, giving up two 

hits, a walk but struck out three batters

and not surrendering a run.

Taylor Trammell continues to be 

impressive at the plate having two 

more hits including a double, scoring

two runs and driving in a run at the

leadoff spot.

Ty France continues having a hot spring

with two more hits. He certainly has a 

spot on the opening day roster. He has

been hitting well since he joined the 

Mariners at the beginning of last September.

Kyle Lewis is starting heating up at the 

plate. He had two hits both doubles raising

his average to .269.

The Mariners take on the Chicago White 

Sox Friday night with Marco Gonzales on

the mound. So far Marco hasn't given up

a run. This will be his third start of the spring.

He will have one last one before opening night.

Seahawk Moves and More

The Seattle Seahawks were busy on
Thursday. They re-signed center Ethan
Pocic, along with defensive tackle Poona
Ford and special team Nick Bellore.

The Seahawks signed free agent tight end

Gerald Everett from the Los Angeles Rams

to a one year contract.  Made a trade with

the Las Vegas Raiders for guard Gabe Jackson.

The Seahawks lost wide receiver David Moore

to the Carolina Panthers. Not a big surprise.

Also, word out Chris Carson to the Miami

Dolphins.  This means the Seahawks will

have to find a replacement or draft a running

back to take Chris Carson. 

Chris Flexen and Mariners Lose

The Seattle Mariners took on the LA
Angels Wednesday night losing 7-4.
Chris Flexen in his third start of the
spring didn't do so well.

Flexen went three innings giving up

six runs on nine hits, one walk and

striking out four. He gave three

runs in both the first and second

inning. On the positive note at least

if you are going to lose to a team

do it in spring training.

The Mariners four runs all happened

in the sixth inning when Evan White

hit a grand slam home run. White has

been struggling at the plate  so this is

a good time to get going with two

weeks until regular season starts.

Jarred Kelenic is now back into action

after having an injury earlier on. He

scored one of the runs ahead of White's 

home run. He walked to load the bases.

The Mariners had four hits in the game.

The game went seven innings which was

agreed before it was started as the Angels

had limited pitching. Besides White's

homer, Dylan Moore, Kyle Seager and

Tom Murphy each had a hit. Murphy's

was a double. He is starting to hit the

ball well now. 

Most of the remaining spring training

games will be played at night including

Thursday's game. Justin Dunn is expected

to start for the Mariners. They will be

taking on the San Francisco Giants. Nick

Margevicius should follow Dunn as they

are competing for the six spot in the rotation.

Last time Dunn pitched he came in for

Margevicius so those two have been 

alternating starting. 

Thursday night's game will be Dunn's

second start  three game of the spring.

He hasn't given up a run as of yet. It

would be nice to keep it that way. Go M's.

Sheffield Bounces Back

Justus Sheffield after having his worst
outing of the spring shut out the KC
Royals Tuesday night. The Mariners
won big 13-0. Sheffield gave up only
two hits in four innings with two walks
and striking out six. He will likely have
two more outings before regular season
begins.

The Mariners used four relievers all 

still competing for a spot doing a fine

job as well. News came out Roenis Elias

will be out this whole season. He is 

going to have Tommy John surgery

on his elbow. The Mariners gave him

a minor league contract to help out

for two years.

The Mariners had three home runs on

the night by Ty France who continues

to sting the ball mightily, Also, catcher

Tom Murphy and outfielder Julio Rodriguez.

Utility play Sam Haggerty had three hits

on the night including a double and a triple.

He looks like the favorite to win the utility

job. Tuesday night he played in center field.

The Mariners play the LA Angeles on Wednesday

night. The game will be televised on local 

television.  Chris Flexen will start his third

game of the spring. See how he goes. Go M's.

Griffin Twins Headed to Jacksonville

The word is out Shaquill Griffin is signing a
three year $44 million contract with the
Jacksonville Jags and his brother says that
he going home to. Both are from Florida.

Last season I don't think Shaquill didn't 

have a very good first half of the season. 

His brother started the season on the practice

squad so not sure going to miss either one of

them though they were a good story for several 

seasons.

News came out on Tuesday the Seahawks are

signing former SF 49er cornerback Ahkello 

Witherspoon. Sounds like they new they likely

would lose Shaquill Griffin. 

Running back Carlos Hyde also signed with

the Jags. I thought he would be back with the

Seahawks but it wasn't meant to be.  Chris

Carson is a free agent as well so there is a

good chance the Seahawks will lose him too.

What may keep other teams from signing him

to a lucrative contract is his injury history.

We will have to see what other signees the 

Seahawks come up with. This will be another

post on a day beyond the regular post. The 

Mariners will be primary over the baseball

season. 

The Starting Rotation

The starting rotation is pretty well set
except for the number six spot. Justin
Dunn and Nick Margevicius are competing
for that spot. On Monday Ljay Newsome
started instead of James Paxton who pitched
another simulated game just in case you
wanted to know where he is at.

The loser of the six spot will be in the 

bullpen when the season starts. It doesn't

leave a lot of spots open. This means there

three spots likely available out of the eight

roster spots with five pretty much guaranteed

already. Newsome could take one of those

three spots, however, he could be sent to

extended training camp or triple-A.

On Monday Newsome went 3 and 2/3 innings

against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He gave

two hits, one run, one walk and struck out three.

Newsome has an ERA of 3.12 so he is showing

he could be on the roster but is there a spot for

him is the question. Newsome is on the 40-man

roster which helps as well. We wish him the best.

The Mariners lost to the Diamondbacks 6-2 

with the bullpen giving up most of the runs.

Those pitching on Monday were pitchers still

competing for a spot. 

Taylor Trammell still looking like he could be

the opening day left fielder. He started Monday

in right field though. Trammell hit a double and

scored a run as well along with being the lead

of hitter. JP Crawford was the lone regular having

a hit in the game. He drove in a run too.

Justin Sheffield takes the mound Tuesday for the

Mariners against the Kansas City Royals. Sheffield

struggled in his last outing so the Mariners are

hoping for a rebound. He should be expected to

go four innings in this outing.

The Mariners made some moves sending players 

down. The big surprise to me was Brandon Brennan.

Having been on the Mariners roster the last two 

seasons he was sent to alternate site along with

Wyatt Mills. This means we will probably see

both players at some point in the season. Sam

Delaplane who the Mariners were hoping to 

make opening roster was sent to triple-A. He

is still considered one of the top relievers when

it comes to rebuilding but isn't quite ready yet.

The Mariners still have 36 pitchers in camp with

14 spots open so more will be moving on or sent

down in the next couple weeks. 

The Mariners still have five catchers in camp

though they will only keeping two in Tom Murphy

and Luis Torrens. How long the other three stay

will depend on the pitchers going down too.

The infield Jordan Cowan was reassigned to minor

league camp so leaves eight infielders not including

those who can play both infield and outfield like

Dylan Moore and Sam Haggerty. There are ten 

outfielders still in camp. Likely they will only

have four open day roster at the most since Moore

and Haggerty can play both infield and outfield.

Moore is expected to be the opening day second

baseman, however, he will could move to the 

outfield when Ty France is playing at second base

especially against left handed pitching. Go M's. 

Kikuchi Stays on Roll

Yusei Kikuchi is having an outstanding
spring training so far in his third start
of the spring.

Kikuchi is looking like the pitcher the

Mariners signed out of Japan. This will

be his third season with the Mariners.

His fastball looked good throwing high

in the strike zone when needed. Kikuchi

looks like he will have a good season.

At times Kikuchi has looked good but

now looks like the consistency will be

there.

Kikuchi went three and one third innings

on Sunday. He gave up two hits, one run,

one walk and impressive six strike outs. 

The Mariners won the game 5-4. The 

Milwaukee Brewers scored three

runs all in fourth inning while Mariners

came back in the fifth inning scoring all

five of their runs. Kyle Lewis drove in 

two of those runs.

The question mark for the Mariner pitching

right now does look like the bullpen. Rafael

Montero expected to be the Mariners closer

had a solid inning in this game getting all

three batters he faced. 

Kendall Graveman, Keynan Middleton,

and Joey Gerber who are expected to be

in the Mariner bullpen all pitched on Sunday

as well. The expected to go with eight relievers

so that was half of the guys in the one game.

Who will make up the other four is still work

in process. Go M's. 

Marco Gonzales

Many may not think Marco Gonzales
as an ace however he is for the Seattle
Mariners at this point.

On Saturday Marco pitched four innings

despite it was his second start of the

spring. He  had pitched in at least one

simulated game before this start.

Marco looked like he is ready to start

the opening game of the season on

April 1. In the four innings he went

he gave up no runs, two hits, no walks

and struck out five batters. 

Marco pitches anything like that 

consistently on the 2021 season he

will have a good record racking up 

wins.

As most of us know who follow the

Mariners they will go with a six-man

rotation. What I hope for is Marco will

be able to go a little more often than

one game a week. Maybe he can start

every five days instead. Put him ahead

of the sixth starter and the fifth starter

on occasion.

I would like Marco to pitch more often

than any of the other members of the

starting rotation. This would mean the

other pitchers would be pushed back a

day while Marco pitches.

The reason the Mariners have a six 

man rotation is to be able to develop

starters. Even with Marco pitching

more frequently these other pitchers

will gain experience as well.

I would like Marco pitching as though

he is in a five-man rotation instead. Let

him be able to do so skipper.

When Marco left the game the score

was 0-0 so he wasn't able to gain a

win. In the end the Mariners lost 2-1.

The Mariners didn't score their lone

run until the top of the 9th inning to

tie but then Matt Magill gave up a

walk-off home run. Magill has 

pitched well so far this spring. This

was his first run given up. I hope he

makes the opening roster because

the Mariners could use him in the 

bullpen.

The Mariners had six hits on the

day. Taylor Trammell continues to

impress the team having another

hit on the day. Jake Fraley had 

a hit as well in two at bats so 

he is now starting to hit. Trammell

or Fraley should be the Mariners

opening day left fielder. Also

catching prospect Cal Raleigh 

had a hit as well. 

Yusei Kikuchi will make his third

start of the spring on Sunday. We 

will see his progress this time 

against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hope to see former Mariner Daniel

Vogelbach in the lineup for the

Brewers. Go M's.  

Battle For the Sixth Spot

Friday night was the Mariners first game on
local television. The Mariners won 4-3 over
the Cincinnati Reds.

Nick Margevicius started the game going three
innings. He struggled though showed some good
signs too. Margevicius gave two runs on 

five hits through the first three innings.

Justin Dunn pitched the next three innings

giving up one run however it was unearned

because of an error. He gave up one hit at

the same time walked one batter. Dunn

has struggled walking batters so one in 

three innings is a good sign.

Margevicius and Dunn are competing for

the sixth spot in the rotation. Dunn has 

the advantage he is a right handed pitcher.

The Mariners already have four lefties in

the rotation already so unless he does real

well I am sure Dunn will have the spot

over Margevicius who is a lefty.

Margevicius will likely be coming out of

the bullpen since the starters will have to

stretch out further in the beginning of the

season. He will be available to start as 

well if one of the starters goes out or is

not performing well. 

Margevicius and Dunn likely would both

been in the rotation if the Mariners had not

signed James Paxton  as a free agent. Speak

of Paxton he hasn't made an appearance yet

on the season. I am sure the Mariners taking

easy on him to be sure he is ready to go when

the season begins. 

Though the Mariners scored four runs they

only had three hits on the night. The Mariners

didn't have a lot of regulars in the game but

Tom Murphy was the only one with a hit. 

The other two hits were by backups.

The Mariners are back to another afternoon

game taking on the Colorado Rockies on

Saturday. This game will be televised locally

as well. Marco Gonzales is expected to 

make his second start of the spring. Go M's.

Another Tie

The Seattle Mariners are playing a lot of
tie games this spring. It seems more than
I remember before. The final score was
Seattle 4 Los Angeles Dodgers 4.

 Chris Flexen got off to a rough start in

his second outing giving up a home run

to Kyle Seager's little brother in the first

inning. Flexen if he can be steady over 

the season it will be good for the Mariners.

Most likely he will be the third pitcher

in the rotation after two lefties start the

first two games.

Right now it is hard to know who the

first two lefties will be in the rotation.

Marco Gonzales is expected to be the

opening day starter. James Paxton hasn't

started or been in a game yet in the spring.

It may not matter as long as he is ready

to go when the season begins. Gonzales

has only pitched in one game himself

during the spring. 

It looks like the Mariner brass are looking

at other pitchers right now so I expect no

big deal. Regular season starts in three 

weeks so I expect we will see Paxton make

a couple starts along with two more by 

Gonzales. None of the starters have pitched

more than two games so far. 

The Mariners could have Kikuchi start in the

second spot while Paxton pitches fourth or

fifth in the rotation when the season begins.

Jake Fraley finally had his first two hits of

the spring against the Dodgers hitting a 

double then a three-run homer in the

fourth inning. 

Fraley and Taylor Trammell right now look

like the two outfielders who will spend time

in left field. Still three weeks away so things

could change. A lot depends when Jarred

Kelenic gets back into the lineup after his

injury. 

All three outfielders bat left so you

wonder if the Mariners will keep two or

just one of the three. Kyle Lewis and Mitch

Haniger both hit right handed so not a big

concern unless they figure to platoon in left.

Platooning in left field would mean the 

Mariners would keep Braden Bishop on the

roster or they could use utility player Sam

Haggerty as the right handed platoon player

as he is a switch hitter. Another option would

have Dylan Moore play left field against 

lefties and have Ty France at second base. 

Jose Marmolejos is having another good spring

training. He can play first base, left field and

dh as well. I wonder though he will make the

opening roster or not. He got off to a poor start

when the season began last year. 

We don't have to be too concerned about left

field right now. It will work itself out for sure.

The key is how the bullpen works out besides

the starting rotation. They will work themselves

out as well.

News came out on Thursday with conversation

with the governor T-Mobile Park will be able to

start out the season with nine thousand fans in

the stands. I am sure things will change over the

course of the season with the vaccine being available

for fans.

The first game of spring on local television will

happen Friday night as the Mariners take on the

Cincinnati Reds. Nick Margevicius will start the

game. Though he started most of last season with

four other lefties in the rotation he will probably

be in the bullpen unless injuries happen to one of

the other lefties.  He is starting so his arm will be

ready to go for the season regardless where he will

be. 

Mariner baseball and more

The Seattle Mariners are still looking for
a president after the resignation of Kevin
Mather at the beginning of spring training.
Jerry Dipoto will be running the baseball
side of things reporting to ownership. Former
Microsoft president of business operations
Jeff Raikes will run the business side.

On the baseball side of things on Wednesday

the Mariners pitching wasn't good as they

lost to the Texas Rangers 17-5. In his second

outing Justin Sheffield went two and one-third

innings giving up six runs on seven hits. 

Sheffield ended up walking three batters and

giving up two home runs as well.

The Mariners bullpen didn't do any better as

well. Kendall Graveman who the Mariners

re-signed in the off-season gave up four runs

on four hits including a home run. Keynan

Middleton the Mariners signed as a free agent

gave up five runs on four hits including three

home runs. At least it is spring training with

both working to get into shape. Both are 

expected to be in the Mariner bullpen.

On the hitting side Mitch Haniger was moved

into the leadoff spot had a double in three at

bats. Kyle Seager had two hits including a

double as well. Catcher Tom Murphy rounded

out the doubles having one as well. JP Crawford

was moved down in the order to seventh after

leading off in his previous games. Crawford

is hitting only .200. 

The Mariners have an early evening game 

Thursday night against the Los Angeles

Dodgers which is airing on the major league

baseball network. 

In another sport the Washington Huskies 

men's basketball team lost to Utah in the

first round of the Pac-12 tournament. The

Huskies were behind by a large margin for

most of the game but did rally to make the

game interesting but lost 98-95.

The Huskies were led by player of the year

Quade Green with 31 points. Jamal Bey

had 18 as the Huskies had four players in

double figures. Hameir Wright in his final

game as a Husky had nine points along with

six rebounds. We wish Wright in his future

endeavors. 

The Huskies had a terrible season we are

hoping for better results next year. Now

coming up will be March Madness. See

how number one ranked Gonzaga will do

in the NCAA tournament. 

Newsome second time around

On Tuesday Ljay Newsome made his
second start of the spring for the Mariners.
It looked a lot better than his first outing.
Making the starting rotation won't be easy
but Newsome does have a shot as the
sixth starter.

Newsome went three innings gave up one

hit, no walks and struck out three. What

Newsome has on his side he doesn't walk

a lot of batters. If things work out between

him and other pitchers vying for the end

of the starting rotation will be the lack of

walks. 

Gerson Bautista coming back after missing

last season is not having a good time during

the exhibition games anyway so far. On Tuesday

he went one inning giving up two runs on two

hits. He didn't give up a walk but has an era

of 9.00. Bautista will have to improve to make

Seattle bullpen. He likely will begin at triple-A.

Ty France continues to hit the baseball hard

and often. He will be in the lineup for the

Mariners somewhere when the season begins.

Evan White and Jake Fraley are both struggling

at the plate. Fraley still hasn't had a hit in the spring.

White  defense is a plus for him and the Mariners

don't have many other options unless France play

some first base. White is the superior defensive

player. 

Yusei and the Mariners

The Seattle Mariners were shut out
Monday against the Cleveland Indians
10-0. Yusei Kikuchi had his second
start of the spring. So far he has done
well in spring training.

Kikuchi needs to have a good season

if he expects to have a major league

career to continue. Next year will be

his option year so he and the Mariners

are hoping for a good year.

Kikuchi went three inning giving up

two hits and a run. The run happened

in the third inning when he gave up a

home run.  It was the relievers who

gave up the other nine runs on the day.

The Mariners hitting only got four hits

on the day which isn't a surprise since

they did get shut out. 

Some of the starting position players

like Haniger, Seager, White and Moore

were in the lineup while other players

trying to make the ball club started as 

well. Evan White is struggling at the 

plate. Hopefully he will figure things

out before the season starts.

Ljay Newsome will make his second

start of spring against the Kansas City

Royals on Tuesday. Newsome is a starter

he will be at the backend of the rotation.

He will probably either be in the bullpen

or start the season in Tacoma. Last 

September he showed why he should be

in the majors however the Mariners have 

a good rotation.