Mariners | Ichiro Suzuki will bat third

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:55:45 -0800

Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge said Tuesday, Feb. 21, that OF Ichiro Suzuki will be the team's No. 3 hitter this season, with 3B Chone Figgins hitting leadoff and 2B Dustin Ackley likely hitting second. "I'm confident he can get back to his old self as the leadoff hitter," Wedge said of Figgins. "That's when he was the Figgins that produced, that got on base and scored runs and was really a pain for opposing teams. I feel like to give him the greatest chance to get back on track and succeed is to put him back in that role."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Brendan Ryan, George Sherrill coming along slowly

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:20:39 -0800

Seattle Mariners SS Brendan Ryan (shoulder) and RP George Sherrill (arm) have been brought along slowly this spring. Ryan went through drills Monday, Feb. 20, but did not make any throws as a precaution. Ryan should start throwing soon. Sherrill is expected to throw his first bullpen session Tuesday, Feb. 21, after skipping the first week.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Dustin Ackley adds weight

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:09:23 -0800

Seattle Mariners 2B Dustin Ackley has added roughly 10 pounds in the offseason that could provide him with some extra pop this year. He currently weighs 195 pounds and has displayed solid power early in camp. "I feel a lot better," Ackley said. "I gained a few pounds this offseason and feel a lot stronger. I didn't have a Fall League or anything this year, so I had that time to work out and rest and get some more swings in. It was good. I think a year under my belt helps and I had a (workout) program I really liked."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Mike Carp loses weight

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:49:19 -0800

Seattle Mariners OF Mike Carp did more conditioning work in the offseason and has lost some weight in the process. Carp is weighing around 210 pounds currently but hasn't sacrificed any of his power stroke. "I worked hard again, slimming down still but maintaining strength. Hopefully it continues and I keep getting stronger. I lost a few more pounds and added lean muscle," Carp said. He is expected to start in left field this year.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Kyle Seager could start in minors

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:31:02 -0800

Seattle Mariners 3B Kyle Seager has a good chance of starting in the minors if 3B Chone Figgins is named the everyday starting third baseman. Seager has been asked to play other infield positions to increase his versatility, but he'll be competing with INFs Carlos Guillen, Munenori Kawasaki and Luis Rodriguez for a backup job. 3B Alex Liddi is also in the mix.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Ichiro Suzuki open to new role

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:12:50 -0800

Seattle Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki is open to moving down in the order this season. 3B Chone Figgins is expected to be the new leadoff hitter, but 2B Dustin Ackley is another possibility. "It's too early," Ichiro said. "We just went through our first workout. But I can say this. I'm always prepared for a new challenge, and that's how we all have to move forward. If that's the case, we're just out there to perform as baseball players and go all out."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer - Nick Eaton

Mariners | Ichiro Suzuki moving down the lineup

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:07:54 -0800

Seattle Mariners OF Ichiro Suzuki will not serve as the leadoff hitter for the team this season, as 3B Chone Figgins is expected to be tabbed for the role in the coming days by manager Eric Wedge.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Chone Figgins expected to bat leadoff

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:07:08 -0800

Seattle Mariners 3B Chone Figgins might be named as the leadoff hitter for manager Eric Wedge in the next few days. Wedge also said Figgins will see a bulk of his time at third base during the spring and once the season begins. Figgins said he was told he'll be an everyday player in 2012.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Blake Beavan used exercise to shed weight in offseason

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:40:03 -0800

Intense winter workouts have helped Seattle Mariners SP Blake Beavan to shed some weight. Beavan, who weighed 256 pounds, prefers to be closer to 235-240 as spring camp begins. Beavan knew he had to get winter workouts in before camp started. "You can train hard three months a year and that's got to last you," he said. "It isn't like those guys who can go 12 months a year and stay ripped."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Carlos Guillen to play multiple positions in camp

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:33:35 -0800

Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge said INF Carlos Guillen would see time at first base and third base in spring training camp.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Mike Wilson back in camp

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 12:07:41 -0800

Updating previous reports, Seattle Mariners OF Mike Wilson has accepted his assignment to Triple-A Tacoma. He returned to spring training camp Saturday, Feb. 18.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Jesus Montero looking good at catcher

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:45:14 -0800

Seattle Mariners C Jesus Montero is impressing both with his bat and behind the plate so far in spring camp. He will likely see a few starts at catcher and a few at designated hitter each week in spring training.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Kyle Seager worked on swing

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:06:10 -0800

Seattle Mariners 3B Kyle Seager went into this offseason focused on working on his swing, with the team wanting more power and extra-base hits from him in 2012. "I got stronger to help me stay strong all season, not to hit the ball harder," Seager said. "I made a little adjustment at the plate, and I think that allows me to hit the ball harder. Last year, I was hitting the ball too far out front, and that didn't allow me to use my body."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Larry LaRue

Mariners | Franklin Gutierrez ready to bounce back

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:36:51 -0800

Updating a previous item, Seattle Mariners OF Franklin Gutierrez reported to camp this year after adding 25 pounds to his frame, and he feels back to normal after suffering through stomach issues most of last year. "I feel like I'm back to me, back to the Franklin Gutierrez of '09," he said. "I feel great. I'm ready to play." Gutierrez ate smaller amounts of food six to seven times a day in the offseason to deal with his irritable bowel syndrome. He's above 200 pounds this spring after dipping down to 175 pounds last year. He said he noticed that he has more pop in his bat this year now that he has his strength back.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Shawn Camp terms

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:22:34 -0800

Updating previous reports, Seattle Mariners RP Shawn Camp will make $750,000 this season.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLBTradeRumors.com - Ben Nicholson-Smith

Mariners | Very impressed with Danny Hultzen

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:25:15 -0800

The Seattle Mariners have been impressed with the makeup of SP Danny Hultzen as he tries to win a starting spot in the rotation this spring. "I'm very impressed with the fastball command," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "And he has some deception. He has a great feel for his changeup. His slider is coming. But one thing I see that I really like, he's an intelligent kid, but for a guy who is having his first spring and his only professional experience is the AFL, he has the confidence in himself."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Felix Hernandez lost weight

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:00:30 -0800

Seattle Mariners SP Felix Hernandez reported to camp last weekend 10 pounds lighter and in excellent shape.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | George Sherrill hopes to throw soon

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:59:54 -0800

Seattle Mariners RP George Sherrill (arm) expects to resume throwing in the next few days after resting due to some early soreness in his arm. "You get older and they want to take it easy on you," Sherrill said. "My arm feels pretty good. I just told them I'd thrown a couple bullpens when I first got here and how it felt. They know what I've been through the last couple years with overuse and that kind of stuff, so it's kind of a forced slowdown." An MRI exam showed no problems with his arm.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Trayvon Robinson wearing glasses

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:32:40 -0800

Seattle Mariners OF Trayvon Robinson is wearing prescription Oakley glasses this spring, and he hopes it will improve his vision this year. He has worn contact lenses the past two seasons but admits that his vision is not that bad. "And I can see a difference. I wore contacts last year on and off, but I was always wondering when I changed the degree of my head, I'd be blind for like a half-second. I've got astigmatisms. That's when I checked in with an eye doctor in Seattle," Robinson said. He isn't ready to go the Lasik surgery route, though.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Vinnie Catricala healthy

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:10:36 -0800

Seattle Mariners 3B Vinnie Catricala (shoulder) said his shoulder is healthy this year after rehabbing and strengthening it in the offseason. He said some of his defensive woes in the minors were related to the shoulder injury, but he refuses to place all the blame on his injury. Catricala plans on shoring up his defense this spring as he competes with Kyle Seager, Chone Figgins, Alex Liddi, Francisco Martinez and Carlos Triunfel for the third base job. Catricala also dropped five pounds this winter and added some speed to his game.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Jesus Montero looks good

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:11:31 -0800

Seattle Mariners C Jesus Montero displayed plenty of power while taking batting practice Wednesday, Feb. 15, knocking balls over the wall with regularity.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Michael Saunders using heavier bat

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:02:03 -0800

Seattle Mariners OF Michael Saunders, who worked in the offseason to develop a more tight, compact swing, is using a 60-ounce bat when he begins swinging in the outdoor cages in batting practice this spring. "It's too heavy for me to be able to make contact using my arms and wrists," Saunders said. "So, it really forces me to use my lower half." He then drops down to his normal bat while keeping the same form.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Vinnie Catricala to try out at 3B

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:01:24 -0800

Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge said the team will take a look at 3B Vinnie Catricala at both third base and the outfield in camp.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | George Sherrill not throwing

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:01:02 -0800

Seattle Mariners RP George Sherrill refrained from throwing again Wednesday, Feb. 15, and is unlikely to get to work until full-squad workouts start this weekend.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Erasmo Ramirez standing out

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:22:04 -0800

Seattle Mariners SP Erasmo Ramirez, who was signed as an international free agent in 2007 as a 17-year-old, has turned heads in the team's organization as he competes with the squad's other top pitching prospects. "I think he's going to be a surprise," pitching coach Carl Willis said. "Even though people have written and read and heard so many great things about him, I think there are going to be people here - including maybe Eric (Wedge) - who haven't seen him physically and are going to think he doesn't look the part. But then you see it and it's a little bit of a surprise. He has a chance to be a good one." Wedge has been impressed with the bullpen sessions he's watched from Ramirez. Ramirez has added a cutter to his repertoire, to go along with a fastball, changeup and curve.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: MLB.com - Greg Johns

Mariners | Chone Figgins reports early

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:01:57 -0800

Seattle Mariners 2B/3B Chone Figgins arrived in camp Wednesday, Feb. 15. More than a dozen players are in camp early.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: Tacoma News Tribune - Larry LaRue

Mariners | Position switch for Kyle Seager not expected

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:32:08 -0800

Updating a previous report, Seattle Mariners 3B Kyle Seager saw fielding drills at first base Tuesday, Feb. 14, during pitcher fielding practice, but manager Eric Wedge said that's merely part of the drills and not an attempt for Seager to gain more versatility.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Alex Liddi expected to see time at 1B into season

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:31:39 -0800

Updating a previous report, not only is Seattle Mariners 3B Alex Liddi taking grounders at first base during the spring, but he is expected to play the position in games once the season begins at Triple-A Tacoma, assuming he does well in Cactus League action. "It can only help him and only help us with that versatility," manager Eric Wedge said Tuesday, Feb. 14. "He's a big kid, right-handed and he's dabbled over there before."

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Francisco Martinez to play 3B at Triple-A

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:31:11 -0800

Seattle Mariners 3B Francisco Martinez is expected to start the regular season with Triple-A Tacoma.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker

Mariners | Hong-Chih Kuo worked with sports psychologist

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:30:44 -0800

Seattle Mariners RP Hong-Chih Kuo (cold) worked with the late sports psychologist Harvey Dorfman to curtail his throwing issues after battling two serious cases of "the yips" during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mariners are taking it easy with Kuo during the early days of camp, as he has been battling a bit of a cold.

Comment (0) | Share: | Source: The Seattle Times - Geoff Baker