Sodo Mojo’s Seattle Mariners Round Table: Spring Training

Question 2: Which Spring Training Injury has you the most worried?

Ty Gonzales:

I am not thrilled by the prospect of having 44-year-old Ichiro playing four-to-five games a week, so Ben Gamel’s injury scares me the most for sure. With Guillermo Heredia slowly coming back from his shoulder injury and Gamel expected to be out until June, Ichiro’s going to get the bulk of playing time in left. That is… not ideal.

Colton Swanson:

Every one of the injuries sucks. But for me, Robbie’s is the most concerning. I know that he is only out a few days but leg injuries have a tendency to linger throughout the season. The last thing I want to see is one of Andrew Romine, Gordon Beckham or Taylor Motter in an everyday role late in the season. And even if Cano can stay in, a leg injury could hamper his range as well his setup at the plate.

Dan Clark:

Most concerning injury for me would probably be Cruz. Soft tissue injury in which he is coming into his year 38 season. Him and Cano both with leg injuries even if they are minor now they seem to becoming more frequent.

Michael Johnson:

I’ve had a recurring nightmare for years. Our beloved Mariners are hosting a post season game and Felix is on the bump. The crowd is going crazy and “The King” proceeds to give up home run after home run after home run on pitch after pitch after pitch. How many home runs varies as it just depends on how long my brain forces me to sleep through the painful drama on that given night. It is terrifying, truly.

But, the ironic thing about these dreams is whenever I wake up – generally sweating as these are those very realistic type dreams – I am able to find a way to see the good in what I just experienced… the Mariners were in the playoffs! When I watched that ball attempt to shatter Felix’s elbow into a million pieces two weeks ago however, for the first time I truly believed I may never get to see Felix Hernandez pitch in the playoffs.

That thought is sickening. So, am I concerned about the injury in terms of how much impact it will have on the Mariners season? No. But having finally come to the realization that Felix likely won’t get a post season start in a Mariners uniform is not only concerning, but sends me right down emotional lane.

Jeff Nooney:

My biggest injury concern so far in spring training has got to be Robinson Cano. Cano is the heartbeat of this lineup, and we have found out that his injury stemmed from scar tissue from the same injury he suffered back in 2017. Could be a lingering injury.

Colby Patnode:

There are so many to choose from. Thankfully, it appears the only projected starters to miss Opening Day will be Ben Gamel and Erasmo Ramirez. If forced to pick one, I’d have to say Robinson Cano.

The Mariners need Cano to be great in 2018, and if he misses any significant time, the team will be lost. Currently, their only back up plan up the middle is Andrew Romine or Taylor Motter. Color me unimpressed. At least if Cruz goes down, the Mariners have Vogelbach, Ford, or Healy to help out.