SEATTLE -- Opening Day is finally here, and with it, the Mariners on Thursday morning officially set their 26-man roster ahead of their 7:10 p.m. PT game against the A¡¯s at T-Mobile Park.
Catcher (2): Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver
Fresh off signing a six-year, $105 million contract extension, Raleigh will be earmarked for the vast majority of the catching reps, with Garver sliding into the backup role that he¡¯s held since last year¡¯s Trade Deadline. Garver will also be in the mix at DH, with manager Dan Wilson seemingly OK with having both catchers in the same lineup on some days.
First base (3): Luke Raley, Rowdy Tellez, Donovan Solano
Tellez carved out a role with a strong spring, as the Mariners were forced to make a decision on him on Sunday, when he could¡¯ve triggered an opt-out, but the club instead opted to release veteran Mitch Haniger, who is owed $15.5 million this year. Solano was the Mariners¡¯ most notable addition in their quiet offseason. Signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract, the 37-year-old can also play third base and probably will at times if Jorge Polanco needs a blow. Raley appears poised for more of an everyday role and is also more comfortable in the outfield.
Second base (1): Ryan Bliss
Dylan Moore looked like the clear favorite for the full-time gig, but the Mariners have also hinted that they may prefer him in the super-utility role that he¡¯s held for years. Bliss, meanwhile, saw more and more reps at second than any player this spring. The question will be if he can harness his flaws at the plate (against high fastballs) and in the field (with his range on making difficult plays).
Third base (1): Jorge Polanco
Polanco was limited early in camp due to offseason surgery on his left knee, but he wound up playing eight Cactus League games at the hot corner. More encouraging, he swung well, with a .908 OPS in 39 at-bats. If the Mariners need to continue easing him into action, they have supplemental infield options, as this also represents a position change.
Shortstop (1): J.P. Crawford
Crawford did not mince words in his self-assessment of 2024, when he was limited to 105 games and hit just .202. But both he and the Mariners are confident in his ability to put multiple injuries behind him and steer himself back in the direction of ¡¯23, when he was arguably Seattle¡¯s most consistently productive player.
Utility (2): Dylan Moore, Miles Mastrobuoni
Moore, who had an incredibly slow start to spring before picking things up at the end, has played every position but catcher during his six seasons in Seattle. Mastrobuoni played second and third base and two outfield spots in Cactus League play, suggesting that the Mariners want to get him reps at multiple spots. His left-handed bat could also be valuable off the bench.
Outfield (3): Julio Rodr¨ªguez, Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles
The Mariners believe they have the makings of one of the most athletic outfields in baseball, supplemented by pairing their young cornerstone with two key midseason additions. Robles was outstanding, but it might be a stretch to expect identical production after what may have been career year. Arozarena admittedly struggled to adjust to the new environment at first but felt much more at home by season¡¯s end. And Rodr¨ªguez will again be the lineup¡¯s most important player.
Designated hitter: A mix
Now that Haniger is gone, expect to see the Mariners use this lineup spot in a sort of rotation -- almost certainly with them riding the hot bat at any given time.
Starting pitchers (5): RHP Logan Gilbert, RHP Luis Castillo, RHP Bryce Miller, RHP Bryan Woo, RHP Emerson Hancock
George Kirby is expected to miss the schedule¡¯s first month with right shoulder inflammation. That opened a spot for Hancock, who posted a 4.75 ERA in 12 starts last season. Additionally, Gilbert will make his first Opening Day start.
Relief pitchers (8): RHP Andr¨¦s Mu?oz, RHP Gregory Santos, RHP Collin Snider, RHP Trent Thornton, RHP Eduard Bazardo, LHP Tayler Saucedo, LHP Gabe Speier, RHP Carlos Vargas
This group will also at some point feature young righties Matt Brash (Tommy John surgery) and Troy Taylor (right lat strain). The new addition is Vargas, who was on the 40-man roster throughout last year but never debuted. He was also out of Minor League options, so the Mariners will give him a shot.