Mariners Notebook: Kirby and Garver, injury updates and more

George Kirby takes the hill Sunday afternoon for the Seattle Mariners against the Reds in Peoria, Ariz., and will do so wearing a PitchCom device for the second time this spring.

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Kirby explained after his outing in Surprise last week he planned to use it occasionally as he saw it as a way for him to have more conviction in the pitches he throws and avoid getting thrown off by back-and-forths with his catcher. Although Kirby will be wearing the device, manager Dan Wilson in his morning media session didn’t seem to believe it would get much use Sunday with Mitch Garver catching.

“I think he and Garv work pretty well together,” Wilson said. “And as he took it out with him the last time, I don’t think he used it all that much, but just having it was helpful. And like I said, with he and Garv together today, I think that’s likely going to be something that he doesn’t use again too much.”

Garver of course is in one the rare roster spot battles in camp, and working well with Kirby would appear to be a check mark in the positives box for the veteran catcher. Wilson knows a thing or two about pitcher/catcher relationships and has some thoughts why the pair works well together. Garver has caught 17 of Kirby’s 56 starts the past two seasons.

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“My mind goes back to a great outing that George had against the Angels and Garv back there behind the plate with him,” he said. “I think sometimes you just have those moments, have those days where you’re kind of on the same page. You got a really good feeling with each other. And that’s what that was, I think, that particular day. And then you have confidence at that point.”

Wilson is clearly appreciative of what Garver has done both on and off the field while with the Mariners.

“I think the job that Garv does is tremendous,” he said. “And I think he’s able to lean on experience. He takes our information very seriously, too. When you combine those two, Garv does a really good job back there, and as does Cal (Raleigh), of course. But I think that’s a huge asset that we have in that we have Cal, who does such a great job, is one of the best catchers in the league, was one of the best players in the league (last season) period. And then you have a guy with experience and as the backup role that really helps a lot in the background, too, behind the scenes with a lot of our guys. And so it’s really a good combination to have.”

Garver, who was a late addition to camp, signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on Feb. 18 that will pay him $2.25 million if he makes the 26-man roster. As a Article XX(B) free agent – a player with at least six years service time, who finished the previous season on a big league roster and signed his contract more than 10 days before opening day – Garver can opt out of the contract March 21 if he is not placed on the 26-man roster.

Lineup!

Brendan Donovan, 3B
Randy Arozarena, LF
Luke Raley, RF
Rob Refsnyder, DH
Cole Young, 2B
Mitch Garver, C
Leo Rivas, SS
Carson Taylor, 1B
Jonny Farmelo, CF

George Kirby, SP

Also expected to pitch: Matt Brash, Alex Hoppe, Andrés Muñoz, Charlie Beilenson, Peyton Alford.

Radio coverage of Sunday’s game on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins at 1 p.m.

Injury updates

Shoulder fatigue has kept J.P. Crawford out the last few days, but the veteran shortstop said Sunday morning he will be back in the lineup Tuesday after the off day.

Second baseman Ryan Bliss also expects to return Tuesday as he has been out with what has been termed a small issue.

Wilson said spring standout outfielder Brennen Davis came out of the game Saturday for precautionary reasons and that what he felt with the hamstring shouldn’t be too serious.

Who’s on first

With Josh Naylor not yet back from the World Baseball Classic, the Mariners have been short at first base. Carson Taylor, who was picked up from the Phillies in Round 1 of the minor league Rule 5 draft in December, gets the call today from the minors.

More from Seattle Mariners spring training

• Muñoz, Mastrobuoni return cherishing WBC experiences
• Roster Moves: Mariners re-assign Kade Anderson to minor league camp
• Arozarena issues statement upon return to Mariners
• Drayer: The reason Cole Young is having a good spring isn’t what you think
• Brennen Davis seizing expanded opportunity in Seattle Mariners camp

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