Mariners News

When any club starts a new season, it’s important for them to put the best line-up possible on the roster and if means putting some on the DL, that’s sport!

Three Seattle Mariners were all placed on the 15-day disabled list which put their roster at the final 25 heading into Monday’s MLB season opener in Disneyland – er “Anaheim.”

All three moves are retroactive to March 21, meaning the three could technically return by the opening homestand on April 8 if they are ready. It’s unlikely any of the three will be ready that soon, though Walker and Pryor both began throwing in Minor League games this past week.

Iwakuma, who was third in last year’s American League Cy Young voting, was cleared by doctors on Friday to begin a normal throwing program as he begins to build his arm strength after missing all of camp with a torn extensor tendon in his right middle finger.

Iwakuma, 32, will accompany the team on the first road trip to Anaheim and Oakland so he can work with the team’s trainers and begin throwing bullpen sessions after previously being limited to playing catch.

Walker, 21, was placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. He has pitched in Minor League intrasquad games, but did not appear in any Cactus League games after being shut down for a week at the start of March due to soreness that bothered him upon arrival at camp in early February.

Pryor, 24, was placed on the disabled list while recovering from surgery last August to repair a torn latissimus dorsi tendon in his right shoulder. He also has not appeared in any Cactus League games this spring, but pitched in Minor League intrasquad games.

General manager Jack Zduriencik said Walker will start the season on a rehab stint with Class A Advanced High Desert and Pryor will do the same with Double-A Jackson.

Worth Noting:

•With James Paxton and Roenis Elias both in the starting rotation, it will be the first time the Mariners have opened the season with two rookies in the rotation since 1993 with Mike Hampton and John Cummings.

• Monday night’s opener in Anaheim will have a 7:12 p.m. PT first pitch and will be televised by both ESPN2 and ROOT Sports.

Fans in Seattle can also attend an open house at Safeco Field, with the game being shown on the big screen. A $1 entrance fee will go to Northwest Harvest and all fans will receive a free True to the Blue T-shirt.

Thanks to the Mariners for the info.

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=sea