Mariners Notebook: Everybody bunts, a new injury and more

Feb 26, 2025, 11:40 AM

Mariners Insider, Seattle Sports

PEORIA, Ariz. – Will the hits keep coming? Over their last four games, the Seattle Mariners have led the majors with 44 RBIs and are tied with the Chicago Cubs for the most runs scored at 46.

Why ‘Pitching Ninja’ is big fan of Mariners’ Cal Raleigh

Wednesday’s contest brings our first look at George Kirby and what could be a fun lineup to watch as the Mariners take on the Athletics.

• Lineup!

Victor Robles, CF
Dylan Moore, 2B
Cal Raleigh, C
Mitch Haniger, DH
Rowdy Tellez, 1B
Miles Mastrobuoni, 3B
Samad Taylor, LF
Lazaro Montes, RF
Colt Emerson, SS

George Kirby, P

It is typical to see a mix of major leaguers and prospects early in the spring, often by position groups. And this one does not disappoint, with vets at the top of the lineup and two of the top Mariners prospects ranked in the top 100 by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline – Lazaro Montes and Colt Emerson – at the bottom.

As for Kirby, he’s been an under-the-radar member of the new-pitch club, having developed a cutter over the winter. This isn’t a pitch he has just been messing around with. Rather, it’s one that has been worked on with the intent of having something he can throw to both sides of the plate and give hitters, particularly lefties, something to think about to get them off the high fastball. He is expected to try the pitch out once or twice in Wednesday’s game.

Notes

• The Mariners had a bit of an injury scare Tuesday with Leo Rivas seen carted off the field during infield drills with a left ankle injury. It looked ominous at the time, but it turns out there was little damage done. Rivas, who was in the clubhouse Wednesday morning, said he rolled the ankle hitting the bag wrong during the drills. The ankle is swollen but he is not expected to be out for long.

• This was a new sight. Looks like everybody is getting a turn at the early-morning bunting station. Wednesday morning, Julio Rodríguez and Mitch Garver were among those who worked on laying down bunts.

Everybody bunts pic.twitter.com/orTlYyWd61

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) February 26, 2025

• The Mariners will have their first split-squad action Thursday, with half of the squad traveling to Surprise, Ariz., to take on the Texas Rangers and the other half staying in Peoria to face the San Francisco Giants. Manager Dan Wilson will stay back to manage the home squad, while Mike Cameron will get to be skipper for the day in Surprise.