The Seattle Mariners are gearing up for a fresh start after their recent break, and the team's spring training is heating up! As the World Baseball Classic participants have now departed, the games are set to take on a different rhythm, offering younger talent extended opportunities to shine while veterans continue their strategic buildup. This shift in focus requires a delicate balancing act, as manager Dan Wilson explained, "It’s a matter of weighing what’s too much and what’s not enough and trying to strike that balance as we go forward." He emphasized the importance of careful planning and smart decision-making with the reduced player roster.
A welcome sight for fans is the return of two veteran players to the lineup on Tuesday. J.P. Crawford is back, stepping in as the designated hitter. He's been managing a shoulder issue and will focus on hitting for the remainder of the week. Additionally, Mitch Garver is making his spring debut after rejoining the Mariners on a minor league contract just two weeks ago.
Here's the lineup for Tuesday's game:
- Brendan Donovan, 3B
- Rob Refsnyder, RF
- Luke Raley, LF
- Mitch Garver, C
- J.P. Crawford, DH
- Patrick Wisdom, 1B
- Ryan Bliss, 2B
- Colt Emerson, SS
- Rhylan Thomas, CF
On the mound for the Mariners will be Bryan Woo, with support from Michael Morales, Michael Rucker, Cole Wilcox, Casey Legumina, Domingo Gonzalez, and Robinson Ortiz.
The Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels is scheduled to begin at 12:10 p.m. Seattle time. You can catch the live radio broadcast starting at noon on the Seattle Sports app.
But here's where things get a bit uncertain for a key pitcher... Bryce Miller is slated for some light catch on Tuesday. This is to assess the left oblique soreness he experienced after his last Cactus League start on Thursday. The team is hoping for good news, but it's a situation to monitor.
And this is the part most fans will be excited about... Cole Young secured his first hit of the spring on Sunday – a massive 442-foot blast! While an 0-for-8 start might normally raise eyebrows, manager Dan Wilson was thrilled to see Young connect. "He feels like he wasn’t in a good spot at the plate yet, but to get that pitch and drive it like that was really good to see," Wilson commented. He highlighted Young's strong swing and power, noting that the focus now is on helping him find consistent contact, a common challenge during spring training. "The rhythm and timing of it all is I think the hardest part of spring training and I think he is starting to find that as we go forward."
It's not just players who have been impacted by the World Baseball Classic; some coaching staff have also departed. Two-thirds of the major league hitting staff are away for the WBC, with Edgar Martinez and Bobby Magallanes coaching for Puerto Rico and Mexico, respectively. Bullpen catcher Fleming Baez is also working with the Dominican Republic team. Back in Peoria, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer is receiving ample support from the Triple-A hitting staff and organizational coordinators.
In other pitching news, George Kirby threw a simulated game on Monday to stay on schedule, and Luis Castillo was also at the complex to throw a bullpen session. Both reportedly went well.
Now, let's talk about potential future stars. The Mariners' General Manager hasn't ruled out the possibility of top pitching prospects making their debut in 2026. This is a bold statement that suggests a strong pipeline of talent is developing within the organization.
What do you think? Is the team's strategy of balancing veteran presence with developing young talent the right approach? And how much pressure should be put on prospects to debut in a specific year? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
