Mariners Spring Training Recap: Day 9

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Saturday was picture day for the Seattle Mariners in Peoria. Who didn’t love picture day at school growing up? Oh yeah, everybody. Unfortunately, the M’s did not have the option of having the fancy outer space theme behind them today. However, one pitcher in particular overshadowed all the pictures.

Felix Hernandez was the headlining act this morning in Arizona. King Felix’s first bullpen of the spring drew a massive crowd, and rightfully so. 2015 was a slightly down year for Hernandez, but he is still considered to be one of the best right-handed pitchers in all of baseball. He is a leader in the clubhouse, and the Mariners will lean heavily on the King as they attempt to make the postseason for the first time since 2001. Fernando Alcala shared some footage of Hernandez’s bullpen on twitter this morning.

King Felix was not the only M’s hurler on the bump this morning. Hisashi Iwakuma and Danny Hultzen were also spotted getting some work in. Kuma and Hultzen are a pair of pitchers with a lot to prove in 2016. Iwakuma has been inconsistent the past two seasons, and his free agent deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers fell apart this offseason due to health concerns. He will get the chance to prove himself this year as the M’s number two pitcher. Hultzen is a former top prospect who is attempting to make the transition from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Staying healthy will be key for Hultzen in 2016. Credit Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times for the video.

More from SoDo Mojo

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
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• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB

There were a lot of pictures taken today in Peoria, but none come close in beauty to a shot taken by the Mariners baseball information department. Chris Iannetta, Wade Miley, Nori Aoki, Adam Lind and Leonys Martin gathered just as the sun was rising in the desert. It’s neat to have such an interesting picture of the M’s most prominent newcomers. Pictures like this remind all of us that sports, baseball in particular, is very artistic. Baseball is a beautiful game, and this photo encapsulates this.

The Seattle Mariners will be back in action on Sunday morning at the Peoria Sports Complex. It’s crazy to think that the M’s Cactus League schedule starts in just a few days on March 2. It’s been a long winter without baseball, but we will soon be treated to the silky smooth stylings of Rick Rizz and Aaron Goldsmith calling games on the radio.

Next: Mariners Roundtable: Fresh Faces Add Intrigue to Cactus League Action

Make sure you check back with SoDo Mojo on Sunday evening for another edition of the Mariners Spring Training Recap. Go Mariners!