Mariners make roster move ahead of road opener against Giants

Apr 4, 2025, 10:43 AM | Updated: 2:26 pm

Editor, Seattle Sports

The Seattle Mariners are ready for their first road game of the season, as they open a three-game set against the Giants at San Francisco’s Oracle Park at 1:35 p.m. Friday.

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The lineups for both teams have been made available, and Seattle’s comes with an expected roster move: the addition of Luis F. Castillo to make the start on the mound.

And yes, you read that right – the Mariners now have two pitchers named Luis Castillo in their rotation, and they’re even making back-to-back starts. According to Alex Mayer of the Mariners’ communication department, it will be only the third time in MLB history and second pairing of two pitchers with the same first and last name starting in back-to-back games for the same team.

Here is the *complete* list in @MLB history (h/t @Sportradar):

Bobby Jones & Bobby Jones 2x (7/3-7/4/2000 & 8/10-8/11/2002)

Luis Castillo & Luis F. Castillo* (4/2-4/4/2025).

*when Luis F. Castillo starts today

— Alex Mayer (@alexmayer34) April 4, 2025

To make room on the 40-man roster for Luis F. Castillo, the Mariners designated pitcher Hagen Danner for assignment. A 26-year-old right-hander, Danner was claimed off waivers from Toronto by the Mariners in January. Danner has faced one batter in the big leagues, recording the out in an Aug. 11, 2024 game for the Blue Jays against the Chicago Cubs. He was a second-round MLB Draft pick out of Huntington Beach High School in California in 2017.

For more details on Luis F. Castillo, click the link below.

Mariners expected to start a Luis Castillo in back-to-back games

The more established of the Luis Castillos, who pitched the Mariners to a win over reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal and the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, weighed in on being joined by his namesake before Friday’s game, according to M’s insider Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports.

Luis Castillo (the original) seems happy and somewhat amused to have another Luis Castillo on the team. Says they are very similar in how they pitch. “I think it’s going to confuse the players.” As for a nickname, “Maybe mini-Rock.”

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) April 4, 2025

With the addition of Luis F. Castillo, the Mariners have pushed the rest of their rotation back a day. Bryce Miller will now start Saturday (dueling against former Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray), and Bryan Woo will get the ball Sunday.

Lineups!

As for what the Mariners are sending out against the Giants and starting pitcher Justin Verlander, they’re going with nearly the same lineup as opening day just over a week ago. The only difference is third baseman Jorge Polanco, who is back after missing two games on the paternity list, is hitting fifth instead of sixth, switching spots with designated hitter Luke Raley.

First road trip! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/EMmKrIF7Nb

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 4, 2025

Here is the Giants’ lineup for their home opener.

The boys are back in town

📍: @OracleParkSF
⏰: 1:35 p.m. PT
📺: @NBCSGiants
📻: @KNBR | KSFN #SFGiants | @CocaCola pic.twitter.com/yyOXC83bLb

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 4, 2025

Radio coverage of the game will begin on Seattle Sports 710 AM, the Seattle Sports app and SeattleSports.com at 12:30 p.m. with the pregame show. There will also be the usual postgame show, which lasts for roughly an hour after each contest.

The Mariners and Giants will play again at 6:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday, and the M’s will return Monday night to T-Mobile Park after the short three-game trip to begin a six-game homestand against AL West rivals Houston and Texas.