Notebook: Marco up first as Mariners set up initial spring training rotation

PEORIA, Ariz. – The Mariners have set the starting pitchers for their first three games of the Cactus League season, but the schedule comes with a warning.

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“Don’t read too much into things,” manager Scott Servais said after announcing Marco Gonzales would start game 1 Thursday against the A’s. “No decisions have been made how we map this thing out going to Japan, which will be different from when we open things up at T-Mobile (Park). There is so much flexibility within. Don’t think too far ahead.”

What we do know is Gonzales will start game 1 with Justus Sheffield following him in relief in the game against the A’s. Friday’s starter will be Mike Leake, and Félix Hernández will get the ball Saturday. All starters are expected to get a couple of innings their first time out.

With the Mariners’ first two games of the regular season being played March 20-21 in Japan – about 10 days before a season usually would start – the starting pitchers will likely be on a pitch count of around 75. Because of the start and stop of the season before the March 28 home opener against Boston, the rotation can be juggled during the six days between the games against Oakland and Boston. The picture should become more clear with the rotation as the spring progresses.

For now, we know the first three starters for Cactus League play, although with rain in the forecast Thursday there are no guarantees Gonzales and Sheffield will actually get out on the field. They may have to settle for a simulated game instead.

“It doesn’t look great,” Servais acknowledged about the weather. “We will adjust if we have to adjust.”

Should the weather hold, the game against the A’s can be heard on 710 ESPN Seattle at 12:05 p.m. Thursday.

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Notes

• LHP Yusei Kikuchi is scheduled to throw live BP, the first of two live BP sessions he is set to get before entering games. The Mariners are mindful of the adjustments he is making. “He’ll be fine, he’s on track,” Servais said. “Pitching in Arizona, the dryness, new balls, things like that. It gives him a little more time to work on some things and he’s good with that.”

• CF Mallex Smith will be allowed to get on the field Tuesday for the first time this camp. He will be limited to running and catching only as he continues to recover from a strained forearm.

• With a younger, more athletic team, Servais is once again looking for more on the bases. One player in particular who is being given a push to steal is outfield prospect Braden Bishop. “We have impressed on him ‘We want you to go,'” Servais said. “We have a lot of speed in this camp so you will see our guys very aggressive on the bases. They want to push the envelope to see what they can do. He’s one of those guys.” For a second straight day Servais mentioned that we should see Bishop at the big league level some time this year. The former University of Washington star is not a masher, but he is a right-handed bat in the outfield who can be of use if he continues to get on base and use his speed.

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