Mariners Spring Training FAQs, dates to know
PEORIA, Ariz. – It’s something like the first day of school, with handshakes, hugs and how-are-ya’s all around. For 41 Mariners pitchers and catchers, Spring Training officially got underway with Wednesday’s report day and physical exams, though they won’t take the field together for the first time until Thursday morning.
“It’s just good to see some familiar faces, some new faces and just kind of get our feet back into it,” said Marco Gonzales, now one of the old-timers in the group at 27. “We’re all really excited to go forward from here.”
Manny Bañuelos, a 28-year-old left-hander from Mexico, was the only Mariners pitcher who didn’t report on time as he hasn’t cleared his visa issues after signing a Minor League deal with a camp invite. The other 34 pitchers and six catchers all checked in as expected, and the club also finalized a deal with free agent Taijuan Walker.
Most of the club’s 25 position players are already working out at the Peoria Complex as well, though they don’t officially report until Monday.
While the Mariners didn’t bring on a big group of veterans this offseason, they have promoted a number of prospects and will field one of the youngest teams in Major League Baseball.
“There are a lot of new faces, but that’s what makes it fun,” Gonzales said. “We’re going to have a lot of energy in this camp and a lot of competition, too, which I’m all for. I think that makes us all better.”
Mariners manager Scott Servais will address his pitchers and catchers on Thursday morning before they head out for the first workout under new pitching coach Pete Woodworth, who was promoted from Double-A Arkansas to his first big league job.
“I’ve been waiting for tomorrow for a long time,” the 31-year-old Woodworth said with a smile. “We had an exciting offseason. We had our first child (1-month old Graham), but this has been what I’ve been falling asleep thinking about and waking up thinking about. I hope my wife doesn’t hear that …”
Here are the important dates to know and some names to watch this spring:
First pitchers and catchers workout
Thursday, Feb. 13
Full squad report date
Monday, Feb. 17
First full-squad workout
Tuesday, Feb. 18
New faces to know
LHP Nestor Cortes Jr., RHP Carl Edwards Jr., RHP Kendall Graveman, RHP Yoshihisa Hirano, LHP Nick Margevicius, RHP Yohan Ramirez, RHP Phillips Valdez, INF Sam Haggerty, INF Patrick Wisdom
Top prospects to know
OF Jarred Kelenic (No. 11 prospect overall per MLB Pipeline), OF Julio Rodriguez (No. 18), RHP Logan Gilbert (No. 38), 1B Evan White (No. 56), OF Kyle Lewis, OF Jake Fraley, RHP Justin Dunn, LHP Justus Sheffield, C Cal Raleigh, RHP Wyatt Mills, LHP Aaron Fletcher, RHP Aaron Delaplane
Where is the facility?
Peoria Sports Complex: 15707 North 83rd Ave., Peoria, Ariz., just off AZ-101 and Bell Road.
Can fans attend workouts?
Yes, workouts are free to the public and typically run from about 10 a.m. to noon prior to day games, or afternoons prior to night games.
First Cactus League game
Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Padres at Peoria Stadium, 12:10 p.m. PT
First TV game
Sunday, Feb. 23 vs. Rangers at Peoria Stadium, 12:10 p.m. PT on ROOT Sports
Other notable games
Tuesday, March 10 vs. Angels, 1:10 p.m. PT, to open a stretch of four straight home games at Peoria Stadium with the Padres, Reds and Dodgers to follow from March 11-13.
Last game in Arizona
Tuesday, March 24 vs. Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, 12:10 p.m. PT
Any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
No, the Mariners fly back to Seattle following the final game in Arizona and have one day off before beginning the regular season.
Opening Day date, time, opponent and location
Thursday, March 26, 1:10 p.m. PT vs. Rangers at T-Mobile Park