SHANNON DRAYER

Mariners notebook: Things could be interesting with bullpen flexibility

Mar 15, 2017, 12:13 PM | Updated: 12:35 pm

Pitchers like Dillon Overton could find themselves called up to the M's in 2017 based on matchups. ...

Pitchers like Dillon Overton could find themselves called up to the M's in 2017 based on matchups. (AP)

(AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. – Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto mentioned it in the offseason, and then manager Scott Servais brought it up Tuesday. With the roster flexibility that the Mariners have, they could be making moves with their pitching staff before each series based on matchups.

Servais said it was a consideration in determining whether Seattle will start the season with seven or eight pitchers in the bullpen. What about as the season progresses? We could see some movement based on upcoming lineups, but if all goes well, it shouldn’t be a regular occurrence.

Drayer: Who do Mariners root for in World Baseball Classic?

“You like to get guys settled in and feel comfortable and good about where they are at,” Servais said. “It doesn’t always work out that way. Somebody will stub their toe or you have an injury issue or somebody is a little soggy and you want to flip them out of give them some time to recuperate. All those things will play into it. We were very active last year, maybe for very different reasons; we had to be. This year we just have more options.”

The Mariners have been on the other side of this. Last year the Red Sox brought in an extra lefty for their series against them. The M’s should face less of this with a more balanced lineup, though. How they choose to handle the competition could be a little different, however. Options are a good thing to have.

Lineup vs Dodgers

Jarrod Dyson, LF
Ben Gamel, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Danny Valencia, 1B
Daniel Vogelbach, DH
Carlos Ruiz, C
Leonys Martin, CF
Mike Freeman, 2B
Shawn O’Malley, SS

Chris Heston, P

Others scheduled to pitch: Micah Owings, Casey Fien, Jonathan Aro, Christian Bergman and Jean Machi.

Notes

• Scott Servais gave the Mariners a little break Wednesday morning with a “show and go” day. There was a team meeting and cage work, but other than Tony Zych’s live BP, no work on the field. “We have a tough weekend coming up ahead of us,” he said. “Split squad both days, games on the road, we come back on Saturday it’s 95 degrees here. You start to see it on our guys a bit. I thought we’d back off today, give them a refresher day. Those guys are playing a lot, especially our utility/middle infield guys are out there quite a bit. We just thought it would be a good day to do it.”

• The Mariners’ 2017 commercials (and blooper reel) were released this morning. Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz, Kyle Seager, Leonys Martin, Felix Hernandez and others are featured in the spots, which can be seen here.

• If you are not on Twitter, and you should be, you missed an epic battle between the Mariners and A’s accounts. The A’s started it.

• The Cactus League Report returns to the Salty Senorita tonight. Guests on the two-hour show will include first base coach Casey Candaele, first baseman Daniel Vogelbach, utility infielder Tyler Motter, and pitchers Dillon Overton and Chris Heston. The show will run from 7-9 p.m. on 710 ESPN Seattle. Stop by if you can!

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
High 52° | Low 42°
No game today.

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners’ young core, now veterans, fueled by last year’s letdown

Falling back can be a part of growing up, and for the once young core of the Seattle Mariners, it is now part of their DNA.

9 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Gabe Speier...

Shannon Drayer

Inside how the Mariners’ pitching lab gets most out of relievers

With two of the Seattle Mariners' best relievers beginning the season on the injured list, the team's “pitching lab” has perhaps never been needed more.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Shannon Drayer

Breakdown: What Mariners bring north this year is very different

How is the group the Seattle Mariners are bringing north from Arizona? Insider Shannon Drayer details the roster -- and some thoughts from clubhouse leaders -- after 40 days at spring training.

4 days ago

Seattle Mariners Emerson Hancock...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer’s Mariners Notebook: Expectations for demoted players, more

Shannon Drayer details plans for the players not making the Seattle Mariners' opening day roster and much more in her latest notebook.

5 days ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh Julio Rodríguez...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: A look around the diamond as Mariners near opening day

Let's take a trip around the diamond with thoughts on each position as the Seattle Mariners are less than a week from the start of 2024.

6 days ago

Mariners notebook: Things could be interesting with bullpen flexibility