Mariners notebook: First cuts plus encouraging news on relievers on the mend
Mar 13, 2017, 10:51 AM | Updated: 4:18 pm
D.J. Peterson, the Mariners' first-round pick in 2013, was among the team's first spring cuts. (AP)
(AP)
PEORIA, Ariz. – And then there were 53. The Mariners have announced their first round of roster cuts and there were no huge surprises.
Optioned to AAA Tacoma
• LHP Paul Fry
• INF D.J. Peterson
Optioned to AA Arkansas
• LHP Zac Curtis
• RHP Thyago Vieira
Re-assigned to minor-league camp
• RHP Peter Tago
• RHP Dylan Unsworth
• OF Kyle Waldrop
• C Marcus Littlewood
• C Tyler Marlette
With starters getting stretched out there are fewer innings for the relievers, so it was time to make cuts. For most on the list it was their first time in big-league camp and the hope is that much was learned from the experience. Their work will now continue in minor-league camp, which is underway with games scheduled to begin March 18.
Lineup at Milwaukee
Jarrod Dyson, CF
Ben Gamel, DH
Mitch Haniger, LF
Danny Valencia, RF
Daniel Vogelbach, 1B
Carlos Ruiz, C
Taylor Motter, 3B
Mike Freeman, 2B
Shawn O’Malley, SS
Hisashi Iwakuma, RHP
We get a look at Danny Valencia playing the outfield for the first time this spring and Mitch Haniger moves from right field to left field. Hisashi Iwakuma is scheduled to throw three innings with Marc Rzepczynski, Nick Hagadone, Dean Kiekhefer, Evan Scribner and Ryan Weber to follow.
Notes
• Manager Scott Servais said the MRI results on pitcher Shae Simmons were what the Mariners expected, a strain in the muscle mass of his right forearm. There is no involvement with the ligament that he had previously required surgery. Simmons will be shut down for a short while to let the inflammation quiet.
• Relievers Tony Zych and Steve Cishek are continuing to make good progress in their returns from offseason surgeries. Zych will throw to hitters in a live batting practice session sometime later this week. Games should follow soon after if all goes well. Cishek is on a throwing program and is believed to one or two weeks away from throwing bullpens.
• Outfielder Tyler O’Neill should be returning to camp soon as Canada was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic Sunday. Felix Hernandez could be close behind as Venezuela will play Italy in a tie-breaker game later Monday.
