Mariners Position Battle Update: 5th Starting Pitcher

James Paxton, Nate Karns and Mike Montgomery are competing this spring for the final spot in the Seattle Mariners starting rotation.

We have been discussing the Seattle Mariners position battles all week here at SoDo Mojo. We have updated fans on the utility infielder battle, the backup first base job and the backup center fielder gig. Today we will take a closer look at the competition to be the M’s fifth starting pitching in 2016.

This is arguably the most high profile of the M’s position battles. Whoever wins the final spot in the starting rotation will pitch every fifth day, and will hopefully provide the Mariners with 175 to 200 innings in 2016. James Paxton, Nate Karns and Mike Montgomery are currently competing to start the season in the M’s opening day rotation.

Paxton is a very familiar name to fans, as he has spent the parts of the past three years in Seattle. The Mariners acquired Karns from the Tampa Bay Rays this offseason, and he is getting plenty of early opportunities this spring. Montgomery had some great moments last year as a rookie with the M’s, but illness has limited his Cactus League chances.

We will begin this slideshow by discussing James Paxton, who has spent the most time in Seattle during his career.

Next: Pax-Man is slimmer and finally healthy