SEATTLE -- While the Winter Meetings were canceled this year due to the pandemic, MLB arranged for managers to meet with the media through online sessions this week and Mariners skipper Scott Servais had his turn on Wednesday.

Here are four key takeaways from Servais’ session:

1) Haniger appears to finally be healthy
While their youth movement remains the overriding storyline, one of the biggest questions facing the Mariners next season will be the status of right fielder Mitch Haniger. The 2018 All-Star hasn’t played since June 6, 2019, having undergone a trio of surgeries for a ruptured testicle, torn adductor and a herniated disc.

But Haniger, who turns 30 next week, finally appears back to full health and the Mariners expect him to be their starting right fielder when Spring Training opens, if all goes to plan.

“He’s as excited as everybody,” Servais said. “There’s a lot going on in his life. They had a baby girl a few weeks ago, and that’s all good. And his workouts have been going great. He’s got all his strength back and is starting to pick up his baseball activity. He had an opportunity to spend some time with [hitting coach] Tim Laker, and they’ve been in constant communication.

“We’re just trying to take it slow. You know Mitch, he wants to get after it and get going. But he’s in a really good spot physically and mentally. And with the addition to his family, he’s got a lot to be happy about.”

2) Murphy, Torrens will split time
Catcher Tom Murphy also is back to full speed after missing all of last season with a broken bone in his left foot. The 29-year-old will return to a slightly different situation, however, as the Mariners acquired Luis Torrens from the Padres on Aug. 31 and were impressed with the youngster in an 18-game trial run.

With the Mariners' youth movement, Torrens and top catching prospect Cal Raleigh -- both 24 years old -- figure prominently in the future plans. Expect Murphy and Torrens to split time relatively evenly in the initial going.

“Just running a catcher out there for 120-130 games really doesn’t happen nowadays,” said Servais, a former catcher. “I think we’ve got a great tandem there, and that’s what it takes. I love where our catching is right now, and we have Cal Raleigh behind them, an interesting young prospect who played really well in the taxi-squad situation in Tacoma. We’re in good shape as far as catching goes.”

3) More pitching is on the way
General manager Jerry Dipoto traded for Rangers closer Rafael Montero on Tuesday and signed free agent Keynan Middleton on Wednesday, adding two late-inning options to the bullpen. But Servais expects more additions to that group and sounded optimistic that Dipoto would seek more starting options, as the Mariners plan to continue with a six-man rotation again next year.

Servais said Montero would likely be the closer if the team played today, but quickly noted it’s only mid-December. He also cautioned that last year’s 60-game season -- which limited starters to around 10 starts and 60 innings -- raises a new issue going into next year as pitchers will need to build back up.

“We’ll continue to add depth throughout the offseason,” he said. “I think we’re just scratching the surface. The offseason has been slow to get going with free agents and even some of the Minor League contracts and different things. I know clubs are looking at all their options. I do know we feel strongly the key to next season will be depth.

“A lot of pitchers will be going through unchartered waters in the fact they didn’t pitch much bulk in terms of innings in 2020 and now [they] have to get through a full season. It’ll be really important to have guys to go to because undoubtedly you’re going to have injures or poor performance at some point and have to make some moves. We’re not done. We have a couple of months 'til Spring Training and I expect we’ll continue to add to our pitching.”

4) Kelenic’s time will come … eventually
Jarred Kelenic, the club’s No. 1 prospect and No. 9 overall in baseball per MLB Pipeline, is clearly a big part of the future. But when exactly that future begins will still be in question this spring. Servais noted that the lack of a Minor League season hurt players like Kelenic and right-hander and Mariners No. 4 prospect Logan Gilbert last year, since they’ve had little experience above the Class-A level.

It’s a likely bet the Mariners will start both youngsters in the Minors next year and bring them up as soon as they appear ready. With American League Rookie of the Year Award winner Kyle Lewis entrenched in center field now, Kelenic seems destined for left field, assuming Haniger is healthy in right.

“We’ve got a lot of talented young outfielders, Kelenic being one of them,” Servais said. “Certainly at some point, you’re looking forward to him making his debut. Looking at opportunities, where they may lie and where playing time will come from, that’s why we’ve spread guys around and made them play all three outfield positions throughout their Minor League careers.

“That won’t be an issue. When [Kelenic's] time is right, we’ll have to wait and see when that is going to be. But he’s a very talented player, and I’m excited to see what he brings to our future.”