Mariners Notebook: Big Unit make rare visit, plus some updates

Seattle Mariners camp was in a full buzz Wednesday as Matt Brash was scheduled to throw to hitters for the first time since elbow surgery, Rick Rizzs showed up no worse for wear after getting beaned in Maryvale, the team’s favorite comedian Adam Ray was in the house, and then the showstopper: Randy Johnson made a rare appearance at the complex.

Mariners’ Matt Brash takes big step toward return from UCL tear

“The Big Unit” spent time on the field during batting practice catching up with Mariners manager Dan Wilson, the former catcher for Seattle’s first Cy Young Award winner, and took time to talk with current players including George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Logan Gilbert and Bryan Woo.

“He was so great to share a lot of his knowledge and the experience he had in his 22 years in the big leagues,” Wilson said. “He really shared a lot and and I think our guys got a lot from that. Personally, it was good to spend some time with him as well. It was great to see him in camp, I’m appreciative he took the time to be with us today.”

Well, look at who’s in the house. pic.twitter.com/ScBnmWoJGC

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) March 12, 2025

There have been stories of Randy helping pitchers in recent years – Robbie Ray credits him with turning his career around – perhaps paying forward a bit what Nolan Ryan did for him many years ago. The a 6-foot-10 left-handed Hall of Famer is a tough comparison, but the Mariners starters were all ears.

“What did you get?” said Bryan Woo, repeating the question to him. “Man, a lot. He had a ton of knowledge and covered a lot of different bases. The pieces I took away from it was the preparation parts of it. Coming into his own, it took a couple of years and then obviously he took off. It takes time so keep chipping away, keep finding ways to get better. As good as you were last season, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep getting better the next season.”

Awesome. pic.twitter.com/57trEucjun

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) March 12, 2025

Logan Gilbert, who when introduced to Johnson told him he was a big fan, was especially interested to hear about his mentality on the mound.

“He just looks like he is mad at every batter that he faced,” said Gilbert. “… It’s pretty crazy to actually watch those videos and how he got after it, but I appreciate that and I think you kind of have to channel that mentality on the mound. And he did it better than anybody.”

So is that where “Walter,” Gilbert’s alter ego on the mound, came from?

“There might be some of that,” said Gilbert. “If I can have a fraction of that I’m doing pretty well.”

Randy to Logan, “How tall are you? pic.twitter.com/s9OwiiQuvE

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) March 12, 2025

There are many former Mariners that a player in camp could encounter on any given day in Peoria, something Gilbert is especially appreciative of.

“It’s a ton of some of the best players who ever played and I don’t want to take that for granted,” he said. “Ichiro, Griffey being here the other day, Randy Johnson. Being able to pick their brains and be around them, what makes them them, it’s pretty valuable to learn that.”

Notes

• Woo once again looked sharp pitching Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, allowing one unearned run while striking out five and walking none in his three innings of work against the Royals. He was up to 96 mph with the fastball and threw a ton of first-pitch strikes. It was good to see him have success with the changeup as he generated three swing-and-misses on just seven pitches.

“Offspeed pitches, I feel I am definitely in a better spot with them,” he said. “Right now I am trying to build that trust with using them in different spots in different counts, different guys I wouldn’t normally. It’s about getting that confidence (that) if there ever is a point in the regular season I need to do something like that, then I know I have done it and can execute on it.”

• Mitch Garver survived the scare of getting hit on the wrist/hand Monday in Maryvale. X-rays were negative and he said he felt about 80% Wednesday morning. There is still some swelling and bruising but he is hoping to be able to pick up a bat in the next couple of days. The Mariners’ opponent had a similar scare Monday with Bobby Witt Jr., last year’s runner-up for American League MVP, was hit on the forearm by an Andrés Muñoz pitch and had to leave the game. All signs point to Witt being OK.

Watched him tweet this (while using left hand). https://t.co/vDCValw7QC pic.twitter.com/GtKKRkjtbG

— Vinnie Pasquantino (@VPasquantino) March 13, 2025

• The Mariners had a few highlights in the 7-6 loss to the Royals. Julio Rodríguez hit a grand slam for his third homer of the spring, Victor Robles added a solo shot, and J.P. Crawford showed off his glove at shortstop to start a double play.

It's grand salami time for Juliooooo!@JRODshow44 | #TridentsUp 🔱 pic.twitter.com/8rFkSFH64W

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 12, 2025

• Emerson Hancock is scheduled to get the start against the Diamondbacks in the night game Thursday in Peoria with rain in the forecast. Collin Snider and Gabe Speier are among those listed to follow.

Seattle Mariners news and analysis

• Drayer: The reasons top M’s prospect Colt Emerson is a spring standout
• Seattle Mariners Notebook: Polanco makes spring debut at 3B
• ESPN insider Jeff Passan’s three takeaways from Mariners camp
• Seattle Mariners shut down George Kirby with arm trouble
• Morosi: Seattle Mariners could have one of MLB’s best outfields

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