A daily look at the Mariners during spring training.
The Mariners broke from their practice routine and worked out in Peoria Stadium at the annual spring training FanFest.
They took infield practice and batting practice, then many of the players signed autographs for fans who gathered in long lines before the players even arrived.
“It’s amazing how many Mariners fans there were out there who came down from Seattle already,” manager Bob Melvin said. “They were fired up about seeing us.”
The Mariners return to their usual workout regimen, which will include live batting practice with pitchers doing the throwing.
Pitcher Jeff Heaverlo will return to the mound today for the first time since Feb. 21 when he strained a muscle near his right armpit.
?The Mariners worked out Saturday morning under a cloudless sky and temperatures in the 40s that kept fans in long pants and jackets. The temperature reached 60 by late afternoon. More sun and cool temperatures are forecast for today.
“They took three vials of blood! The first one must have come out blue and the next one teal, so they got a third hoping it would be red.”
Manager Bob Melvin, trying to show his true Mariners colors, after having his blood drawn Saturday morning.
Edgar Martinez was healthy enough to take batting practice at Peoria Stadium but he was a late scratch at the autograph table during at the FanFest. Martinez woke up with a stiff neck and, although he took his turn in the cage, the Mariners’ medical staff put a halt to his appearance at the autograph table.
Kirby Arnold, Herald Writer
