Mariners Game Information — Feb. 25 vs. Cleveland (Spring #2)
HEY DIVISH…Mitch Haniger returns to the Mariners lineup today after a year-long hiatus with the San Francisco Giants, and…DID YOU KNOW?…Haniger is tied for 11th in Mariners history with 107 career home runs with the club?…Mitch hit a career-high 39 home runs during the 2021 season, while driving in 100 runs and posing a .804 OPS…the Mariners acquired Haniger earlier this offseason from San Francisco along with RHP Anthony DeSclafani and cash considerations in exchange or LHP Robbie Ray on Jan. 5, 2024.
TODAY’S TILT…the Mariners continue 2024 Cactus League action today with the home opener against Cleveland Guardians at Peoria Stadium…Seattle fell to the Chicago White Sox by a score of 8–7 in yesterday’s spring opener at Camelback Ranch.
YESTERDAY’S GAME…seven of the Mariners Top 30 prospects according to Baseball America appeared in yesterday’s game at Chicago-AL: Cole Young (№2 ranked prospect), Tyler Locklear (№5), Jonatan Clase (№10), Alberto Rodriguez (№17), Spencer Packard (№20), Brock Rodden (№22) and Hogan Windish (№24)….Locklear (3x3, 2 1B, 2B), Rodriguez (1x2, R, RBI, BB), Clase (2x2, 2 R, 1B, 2B, RBI, SB) and Windish (1x3, R, RBI) all reached base safely, while Young (0x2, SF, RBI) drove in the Mariners first run of the spring.
ON THE AIR…today’s game against the Guardians will be broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr. on the call…the game will also be televised live on ROOT SPORTS and MLB.TV with Dave Sims and Mike Blowers.
AGAINST CLEVELAND…today marks the first of 2 Cactus League matchups between Cleveland and Seattle this spring…the clubs will meet again on March 5 at Goodyear Ballpark, before the Mariners host the Guardians in the opening homestand of the regular season from April 1–3 at T-Mobile Park…the Mariners will offer 3 consecutive Julio Rodríguez “No Fly Zone” Bobblehead Nights during the 3-game series with Cleveland from April 1–3, with bobbleheads going to the first 10,000 fans each game.
FAMILIAR FACES AND IMPACT ADDITIONS…of the 40 players on Seattle’s Major League, 40-man roster, 24 spent time in the Mariners organization in 2023…of the 16 newcomers, 14 are new to the organization while outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Levi Stoudt return to the Mariners…of the 24 returnees from last season (13 pitchers + 11 position players), all but one (outfielder Jonatan Clase) appeared in the Majors with Seattle last season…the 14 players completely new to the organization include 7 pitchers: Cody Bolton, Jackson Kowar, Mauricio Llovera, Gregory Santos, Collin Snider, Carlos Vargas and Austin Voth, and 7 position players: catchers Blake Hunt and Seby Zavala; infielders Jorge Polanco and Luis Urías; infielder/outfielders Luke Raley and Samad Taylor; and designated hitter/catcher Mitch Garver.
THE ROSTER…the Mariners Major League, Spring Training roster is at 74 players (40 players on the 40-man roster + 34 non-roster invitees)…the roster features 36 pitchers (21 on 40-man + 15 NRI) and 38 position players (19 on 40-man + 19 NRI)…of the 36 pitchers (21+15), 30 are right-handed pitchers (19+10) with 6 lefties (2+4)…a breakdown of the 38 position players: 8 catchers (4+4), 16 infielders (5+11), 10 outfielders (7+3) and 4 infielder/outfielders (4+0).
MLB NETWORK TOP 100…MLB Network named its “Top 100 Players Right Now”, with the Mariners landing 5 players in the Top 100: outfielder Julio Rodríguez (#10), right-hander Luis Castillo (#54), shortstop J.P. Crawford (#69), right-hander George Kirby (#75) and catcher Cal Raleigh (#93).
THE COACHING STAFF…manager Scott Servais enters his 9th season as Seattle’s skipper…returning to the Major League staff are Third Base Coach Manny Acta, Major League Coach & Director of Pitching Strategy Trent Blank, Hitting Coach & Director of Hitting Strategy Jarret DeHart, Infield Coach Perry Hill, First Base Coach Kristopher Negrón, Major League Field Coordinator Carson Vitale and Pitching Coach Pete Woodworth…additionally, Tony Arnerich transitions to Bullpen Coach…the Mariners added 3 coaches to their big-league staff: Bench Coach & Offensive Coordinator Brant Brown, Major League Pitching Strategist and Asst. Pitching Coach Danny Farquhar and Asst. Hitting Coach Tommy Joseph.
TOP PROSPECTS IN CAMP…three of the Mariners top-5 prospects according to Baseball America are in Major League camp: infielder Cole Young (#1 Mariners prospect, #44 in MLB), catcher Harry Ford (#2 Mariners, #51 MLB) and infielder Tyler Locklear (#5 Mariners)…in addition to the 3 in the top-5, right-hander Emerson Hancock (#9), outfielder Jonatan Clase (#10), infielder Ryan Bliss (#14), outfielder Alberto Rodriguez (#17), outfielder Spencer Packard (#20), infielder Brock Rodden (#22), right-hander Jimmy Joyce (#23), infielder Hogan Windish (#24), left-hander Reid VanScoter (#27) and right-hander Carlos Vargas (#30) round out the 13 players in Seattle’s top-30 (Baseball America) in MLB camp…MLB.com’s Top Prospects list will be announced on March 6.
OPENING MONTH OF THE SEASON…the Mariners will open the 2024 regular season at T-Mobile Park, with Opening Day against the Boston Red Sox on March 28…promotions during the first month of the season include 3 consecutive Julio Rodríguez “No Fly Zone” Bobblehead Nights from April 1–3 vs. Cleveland, with bobbleheads going to the first 10,000 fans each game…“Mariners Hoodie Night” on April 12 vs. the Cubs…“Salute To Armed Forces Night — Mariners Cap” on April 13 vs. the Cubs…3 consecutive Ken Griffey Jr. “Home Run Robbery” Bobblehead Nights from April 15–17 vs. Cincinnati…other promotions include “Mariners Turn Ahead The Clock Jersey Night” on April 26 vs. Arizona, “90s Night — Mariners Neon Hat Night” on April 27 vs. Arizona, 2 Little League Days (April 14 & 28), Jackie Robinson Day on April 15 and “Bark at the Park” on April 29 vs. Atlanta.
