Logan Gilbert Made Start Thursday

Logan Gilbert made his first start of the spring
Thursday afternoon going three innings. Logan
gave up one hit and a home run in the second
inning as the Mariners beat Cleveland 3-2.

Logan looked good striking out six batters

while surrendering one walk along with

the hit. He is expected to make only three

appearances in the spring before the season

begins on April 7. Cleveland by the way 

doesn't go by Indians any longer. They

are now known as the Guardians. I know

it will take time on it.

Veteran major leaguer Billy Hamilton 

drove in the final two runs in the eighth

inning with a double. Hamilton last week

signed a minor league contract with Mariners.

Hamilton made his mark with the Cincinnati

Reds where he played six years and four 

straight years he had over 50 stolen bases

in each. Last year in a limited period he

played for the Chicago White Sox. 

If you haven't heard Gonzaga was upset

on Thursday in the NCAA tournament

losing 74-68 to Arkansas. Another season

without winning the crown. Though 

the Bulldogs have had success in the

last 25 years they still are waiting to

win a championship. I am sure another

downer for all Gonzaga fans. 

Tacoma Rainiers baseball

The Tacoma Rainiers the triple-A team

of the Seattle Mariners  start there 

season  at home against Salt Lake  City

on September 5. This is a couple days 

before the Mariners start their season.

This will mean the last cuts for the

Mariners will  happen a day or two 

before the Rainiers start their season.

The Mariners  have nine pitchers on their

40-man roster not counting  non roster

invitees.  The Mariners are expected to 

go with eight relievers so at least one 

will not make the opening day roster. 

The Mariners have seven  starters on the 

40-man roster with five starters so at least

two will be sent down depending whether 

they acquire another starter. 

I read where the roster is supposed to be

28 players for the month of April then

going to 26 in May.  The two extra players

could be  on a practice squad and be active 

when needed. 

The position players will be 13 on the active

roster. Whether the Mariners  go with two or 

three catchers we will see.  If they go with 

two most likely Cal Raleigh and Tom Murphy.

Luis Torrens could be  the extra player or be

added on to the opening roster to where he

will dh and play some first base.

Say the Mariners  go with two catchers means

they will have three bench players including 

whoever is dh. The Mariners will  probably go

with four outfielder plus two extra infielders 

where at least one  can play the outfield too.

Right now the two infielders look to be 

Abraham Toro and Dylan Moore. This could 

change if Evan White makes the ball club.

The outfield would mean Julio Rodriguez be

number four unless Kyle Lewis  is healthy to 

play. Moore along with Adam Frazier  can play 

in the outfield. The same for White if he makes 

the ball club. 

So at least two infielders will go to Tacoma plus 

White if he doesn't make the ball club. Taylor 

Trammell who made the opening roster last year 

likely be  going to  Tacoma.

The last couple of the roster spots on the Mariners 

won't be easy to make. Have less than two weeks 

what happens.  

Robby Ray Makes Debut

Robbie Ray  pitched four innings Tuesday 

against the Chicago  Cubs. He was able

to go four innings. 

Ray gave up one hit, a walk and a  home run. 

On Roots Sports after leaving  the  game Ray 

wasn't happy giving up the walk to a left 

handed hitter.  Ray certainly  looked like he

was ready for the  season.  He enjoyed Cal

Raleigh  being his catcher.  Expecting Cal

to be his catcher  for the most part. 

Abraham Toro  had another good day at the

plate. Toro once again played at second base. 

At this point he looks to  be in the lineup a

lot whether second or third or elsewhere. 

The Mariners  have a  day off Wednesday 

and resume on Thursday.  The baseball  season 

starts in two weeks against the Twins in

Minnesota. The Twins  now have Correa at

shortstop.  Certainly  increased their payroll.

They added catcher Gary Sanchez in a trade

with the  Yankees as well. 

We have to see how  things workout with 

Houston Astros without Correa. At least won't 

have to face him as often. Go M's.  

George Kirby Makes First Start

Former numer one pick by the Mariners 

in 2019 made his first start of the spring. 

Last year Logan Gilbert came up early 

on the season to have a good rookie 

season.  We hope more from Logan

this year. Kirby is the next one in line

to come up into the starting rotation. 

Kirby  didn't do well Monday in his first

starting  appearance. He gave up six

runs in one and two-thirds innings.

The Arizona Diamondbacks got five

hits off Kirby and a walk with two 

home runs. The Diamondbacks won 9-1.

Matt Brash trying to make the starting 

rotation pitched two innings giving up

one hit , a walk and strikeout without 

a run. We should see him start in his next 

outing.

Abraham Toro  was the only hitter with

two hits in the game and drove in the

only run. Toro started at third base,

however, right now Eugenio Suarez is

expected to start at third. It will be

interesting to see  where else Toro 

will play in the spring. He should make

the roster as one of the extra players. 

The Mariners take on the Chicago Cubs 

on Tuesday afternoon.  See how the 

Mariners do coming out with a 1-3   record.

Chris Flexen First Outing

Chris Flexen  who was the Mariners top

pitcher last year in wins had his first outing 

of spring. 

Like  Marco Gonzales he was able to  go

three innings giving up two hits and one 

run. Flexen is expected to be in the 

middle of  the rotation.  Jerry  Dipoto  is 

expecting to  pick up another starting 

pitcher through trade or free agency.

If Flexen  can pitch anywhere  close to 

what he did last season he will  be a

good member of the rotation. The importance 

is staying  healthy. 

Speaking of  health  the Mariners announced 

Casey Sadler a solid pitcher in the bullpen 

last season will be out for the season.  We 

will have to see who takes his spot. He

ended last year pitching 28 scoreless innings.

Primarily he was the  first pitcher coming out

of the bullpen.  We wish Casey a full recovery. 

Local Veteran Does Well For Mariners

Steven Souza Jr. a veteran  outfielder 

who signed a minor league contract 

with the Mariners  right after the end

of lockout. 

Souza made his spring training debut

on Saturday for the Mariners. He hit 

a grand slam in the first inning to lead 

the Mariners  to victory over the LA

Dodgers. He obviously  was player of

the game. Going to  highlight each 

player who was the player of the game.

Souza is a local  player from Everett.

Last year  he played in 17 games for 

the  Dodgers so the home run was sweet 

for him.

His best season in the majors was for the

Tampa Bay Rays where he hit 30 home runs

in 2017. The chances will be hard for him

to make the  Mariners as an outfielder but

never know. He will add depth if he starts

in Tacoma.  Has a good spring will open

eyes for other teams to. 

Julio Rodriguez Hits Homer

Though he didn't start the opening 

game in spring training known as

the Cactus League Julio Rodriguez

hit a massive home run with two 

runners on base.

The Mariners went on to lose 6-4.

Of course, a win or loss isn't 

important as getting ready for the

season and who will be on the team.

Julio had two at bats with the second

one being a walk. Can't  blame the

San Diego Padres walking him.

The Mariners are going to take every 

opportunity in Julio Rodriguez in 

making the opening day roster.  

He is going to play all three outfield 

positions. He played in  center field 

Friday going in for Jarred Kelenic. 

The Mariners take on the LA Dodgers 

Saturday. We will see who may shine

in this game. Go M's!

Sad news came out in local radio

sports John Clayton passed away. 

Known as the professor and hall of

fame sports writer. He covered the

Seattle Seahawks for many years

on KJR and then KIRO 710. Worked

for ESPN many years too. He came 

down with an illness taking him 

quickly. No one knew the NFL like

Mr.Clayton as one of the guys calling

into his regular show on Saturday on

KIRO called him. Our condolences go

to his wife Pat and the Clayton family.

He will be missed for sure.