Mariners’ Dan Wilson breaks down his opening day lineup

One of the biggest questions for the Seattle Mariners this season is how their infield will shake out.

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Just about the only sure thing is at shortstop, where veteran J.P. Crawford is set to be the everyday starter once again. But at the other three spots, there are varying degrees of uncertainties.

The first glimpse of how things could look came with the release of the Mariners’ opening day lineup ahead of Thursday night’s season opener against the Athletics.

Crawford is starting at shortstop. Jorge Polanco, who was Seattle’s second baseman last season, is manning his new position of third base. Ryan Bliss earned the start at second base, Rowdy Tellez got the nod at first base and left-handed-hitting Luke Raley is the designated hitter against A’s right-hander Luis Severino.

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That leaves designated hitter Mitch Garver, veteran infielder Donovan Solano and utility men Dylan Moore and Miles Mastrobuoni as Seattle’s options off the bench.

“We’re going to kind of just see how it goes as we go,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said during his opening day press conference on Thursday afternoon. “We have some interchangeable parts, some versatility on the infield. And so we will continue to keep that a priority as we go through.

“To be able to say right now how that’s going to shake out is a little tricky, but I know these guys are prepared. And that’s the key is that they’re ready to go at a moment’s notice. These are guys that are eager to play and eager to get in there and contribute to the team.”

Bliss earns 2B job

Bliss, made his MLB debut last May and appeared in 17 games for Seattle last season, beat out Dylan Moore and Leo Rivas to win the second base job. The 25-year-old Bliss had a strong spring, hitting .308 with four doubles and a triple in 39 at-bats during Cactus League play.

“Ryan had a really good camp and he’s played defensively very well for us,” Wilson said during Wednesday’s team workout. “… Just his ability to find the middle of the field and be consistent with his at-bats I think really, really has helped him.

“He’s been very consistent throughout spring training and is a guy on the bases who can really create some movement and he’s got good speed. So he’s an exciting player to watch and I’m excited for him here to be a part of this opening day.”

If Bliss sticks at second base, that could free up Moore to resume his super-utility role.

Wilson said it’s a balancing act between wanting to create some consistency, while also taking advantage of roster flexibility.

“I think consistency is a big thing, and especially when you look at the infield guys wanting to work together, especially up the middle,” Wilson said. “So again, you kind of weigh all of that equally, wanting the the flexibility, but also weighing some of those other consistency options. So it all goes in.”

Rowdy at 1B, Raley at DH

Tellez, who signed a minor league contract with Seattle on Feb. 21, emerged as a pleasant surprise this spring. The 30-year-old veteran slugger hit .298 with three homers and four doubles in 47 Cactus League at-bats.

That ultimately earned Tellez a roster spot and an opening day start at first base. Raley, who also is expected to play a lot of first base this season, begins as the DH.

“Both these guys obviously have played first base in spring, and Luke has done a great job along with Rowdy,” Wilson said. “It’s just kind of where it landed today in terms of that.

“Again, it’s flexible, it’s versatile. This is one lineup out of 162 that we’ll see, and there’s gonna be a lot of variation in them. But tonight is Rowdy’s night to play first and Raley will be the DH.”

Wilson indicated the team plans to use the DH spot as another avenue for lineup flexiblity.

“We’ll continue to be looking at the DH spot as a way as well to get guys in there and to get the at-bats and guys that have contributed to our lineup,” Wilson said. “We have a lot of great options there and that’s what makes our lineup so deep and so flexible is that we have great options everywhere we go.

“And that’s on us to put the right guys in at the right time and put them in positions to succeed and help this team succeed on the field.”

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