Seattle Mariners Spring Training Updates

So here we are, nearly ten days into March, and Seattle Mariners’ spring training  is fully in swing.

We’ve already had an injury (Ji-Man Choi), we’ve already seen some of that sweet power that we were promised with D.J. Peterson (on his first at bat nonetheless), and some that we weren’t (Rickie Weeks monster drive over the batting eye at Peoria).

Taijuan Walker pitched a great two innings in the charity game opener, stranding a Padres runner on third in the 1st inning when there was still two outs left. Oh, the two batters he had to get through to strand the runner? Matt Kemp and Justin Upton, the top two prized acquisitions from the Padres spending spree. Strike out, pop out, respectively.

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Hisashi Iwakuma has given us promising signs as well, with his twenty two pitch 2 inning start, a start that included five ground-outs, a great sign for ‘Kuma and the sinker. The Mariners pitching is expected to be top notch, and it needs to be if the Mariners are serious about ending that fourteen year October drought.

Iwakuma is a huge part of that, he needs to be at his best at number 2 behind Felix. We’ve got to hope he can it through September and October—when it seems like he runs out of gas.

I’m probably preaching to the choir with The Case of Kuma but at least we’ve got a promising start.

Danny Hultzen has continued his long road of recovery, pitching his second live batting practice session Saturday. Hoping to see him in action soon.

Likely right field platooner Justin Ruggiano showed some power as well, belting a 3 run tie breaking blast—off a right hander to boot.

Chris Taylor is battling Brad Miller for the shortstop spot, and he boosted that effort on Friday, blasting a triple and a 2 run homer. Brad Miller has hit well early as well,  so this battle is just heating up and it looks like it’ll be a fun spring to watch.

Off-season acquisition J.A. Happ made his debut today. He was shaky against the Reds Sunday afternoon allowing 2 runs on two hits over 2 innings. There is still hope the veteran lefty can rebound and have a solid spring.

Taijuan Walker makes his second start Monday, and then King Felix makes his spring debut on Tuesday!

Of course it’s still very early and so we can’t read too much into the spring developments thus far, but it’s a nice sign they’ve all been positive ones.

On another positive note, James Paxton is expected to make his spring debut on St. Patty’s Day—March 17th for those in the dark—as he battles back from a bruised forearm.

Spring is in the air, M’s fans!

Next: Rodney, Happ To Make Seattle Mariners Spring Debuts

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