On a brisk 48-degree morning, the Mariners’ pitchers and catchers have just begun their first official workout, and 15 minutes into it there definitely are some standouts.
Garrett Olson, the left-hander who pitched for the Orioles last year, had an exceedingly impressive stretch and looked sharp with his leg kicks as he loosened up. Ryan Rowland-Smith, the left-hander hopes to be in the starting rotation, was looking strong as he long-tossed.
Sure signs that it’s going to be a great season? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Too often we look at the team on the first day of spring training and try to analyze everything from who’s lost weight to who’s throwing well to who seems most flexible during the pre-workout stretch.
As manager Don Wakamatsu warned, the biggest mistake anyone can make is to over-analyze anything that takes place early in spring training. There will be plenty of time for that deep into the exhibition season next month when roster decisions are made.
Here are a few other tidbits from this morning:
– Left-handed pitcher Tyler Johnson, the former Cardinals reliever who the Mariners signed to a minor-league deal early this month, has discomfort in his shoulder. Johnson didn’t pitch all last season because of bursitis and he had surgery to repair some small tears in his rotator cuff.
– Left-hander Cesar Jimenez was sent home to recover from a case of bronchitis. He’s also dealing with tendinitis in his left arm, which first flared up during winter ball in Venezuela.
– Right-handed pitcher Luis Munoz remained in the Dominican Republic while issues with his visa are worked out.
– Two others excused from camp are left-hander Jarrod Washburn, who has an unspecified commitment and won’t arrive until Tuesday, and catcher Kenji Johjima, who will be with the Japanese team in the World Baseball Classic.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
