PEORIA, Ariz. — On the day that pitchers and catchers were scheduled to officially report to spring training, the inside of the Mariners complex buzzed with activity Wednesday morning.
The 35 pitchers and eight catchers who are on the official spring training roster took their scheduled turns to undergo the lengthy physical administered by the Mariners' high performance staff. Most had already arrived in Arizona days, or even weeks, before and had been working out with the coaches and staff.
The days of using spring training to get into shape are well in the past.
By the afternoon, as the temperature reached a comfortable 68 degrees with the bright sun making it feel even warmer, the back area of the complex began to fill with players. Five or six years ago, report day meant a chance for players to sneak in an afternoon activity away from the complex, usually 18 holes of golf, before the scheduled workout the following day.
That's changed the past few years. A large contingent of pitchers got in their work for their daily throwing progressions. A handful of pitchers, including starters George Kirby, Bryan Woo and Emerson Hancock, threw brief bullpen sessions off the mound. Kirby's typical intensity was evident even if he was throwing in workout gear and not a baseball uniform.
Several catchers worked on framing pitches and blocking balls with Dan Wilson and Tony Arnerich feeding baseballs through a pitching machine.
Any Valentine's Day plans wouldn't start until the daily work and preparation were completed.
But the pitchers and catchers weren't the only players putting in work on their own. More than half of the Mariners position players, who don't have to officially report until Feb. 19, have already arrived in Arizona. The covered batting cages were filled with MLB players and select minor leaguers participating in a mini-camp.
Julio Rodriguez, J.P. Crawford, Mitch Haniger, Ty France, Josh Rojas, Luis Urias, Cade Marlowe, Dominic Canzone, Ryan Bliss and others have been working out consistently on the field and in the weight room.
Fans aren't the only ones ready to start spring training and the 2024 baseball season.
The Mariners pitchers and catchers will have their first official workout at 10 a.m. Thursday after manager Scott Servais holds his daily morning meeting for players. The workouts, which aren't that action-packed, even for the biggest baseball fans, usually last past noon. The position players working out on their own will likely be out on the backfields later in the morning.
Fans in Phoenix valley can come watch workouts on the backfields with the gates of the complex opening at 9 a.m.
The first full-squad workout will be held five days later, Feb. 20, while their first Cactus League game is scheduled for Feb. 24 at Camelback Ranch vs. the White Sox.
