The Seattle Mariners are gearing up for a fresh spring training game, but a key player's availability is hanging in the balance! As the team shakes off the dust from their recent off days and prepares to face the ’26 Angels, all eyes are on Bryce Miller's oblique soreness. Will he be ready to pitch, or is this a setback for the young hurler?
With the World Baseball Classic participants now having departed camp, the dynamic of the games is shifting. This means more extended opportunities for the younger talent to shine, while the veterans continue their measured buildup towards the regular season. Mariners manager Dan Wilson emphasized the delicate balance of managing this smaller player pool, stating, "It’s a matter of weighing what’s too much and what’s not enough and trying to strike that balance as we go forward." He added, "It’s just a matter of mapping it out and being smart as we go along."
Great news on the veteran front, though! We're thrilled to announce the return of J.P. Crawford to the lineup, albeit as the designated hitter as he continues to manage a shoulder issue. He'll be hit-only for the rest of the week. Also making his much-anticipated spring debut is Mitch Garver, who recently signed a minor league contract to rejoin the Mariners.
Here’s a peek at Tuesday’s lineup:
- Brendan Donovan, 3B
- Rob Refsnyder, RF
- Luke Raley, LF
- Mitch Garver, C
- J.P. Crawford, DH
- Patrick Wisdom, 1B
- Ryan Bliss, 2B
- Colt Emerson, SS
- Rhylan Thomas, CF
On the mound, we'll see Bryan Woo, with support from Michael Morales, Michael Rucker, Cole Wilcox, Casey Legumina, Domingo Gonzalez, and Robinson Ortiz.
The first pitch for the Mariners' Cactus League clash against the Los Angeles Angels is set for 12:10 p.m. Seattle time. You can catch the live radio broadcast starting at noon on the Seattle Sports app.
But here's where it gets a bit uncertain... Bryce Miller is scheduled for some light catch today to assess his left oblique soreness, which flared up after his last outing. This is definitely something to monitor closely.
And this is the part most people miss... While an 0-for-8 start to spring training might seem concerning, it's important to remember it's still early days. Cole Young finally got his first hit on Sunday – a mammoth 442-foot blast! Manager Wilson was pleased, noting, "He feels like he wasn’t in a good spot at the plate yet, but to get that pitch and drive it like that was really good to see." He continued, "He’s just got a good swing, we’ve seen the power. We will just continue to give him the time he needs at second base and with his at-bats. For him, it’s just about finding that consistent contact. The rhythm and timing of it all is I think the hardest part of spring training and I think he is starting to find that as we go forward."
It's also worth noting that the Mariners have seen some of their coaching staff depart for the World Baseball Classic. Edgar Martinez and Bobby Magallanes are coaching for Puerto Rico and Mexico, respectively, while bullpen catcher Fleming Baez is with the Dominican Republic. Back in Peoria, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer is getting a helping hand from the Triple-A hitting staff and organizational coordinators.
In other pitching news, George Kirby threw a simulated game on Monday, and Luis Castillo was also at the complex for a bullpen session. Both reportedly went well.
What do you think about the team's depth and the challenges of managing a roster with players participating in the World Baseball Classic? Are you optimistic about Bryce Miller's oblique situation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
