Mariner Matters | 3.28

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WBC leaves Kenji with a little "catching up" to do...
Changing signs and various adjustments that were made in his absence in early spring have left Joh with his work cut out for him.




No one seems to be stepping up to grab the closer's role...
Some are returning from injury (Walker, Corcoran), some have been hit hard (Lowe, Messenger) and others have pleasantly, unexpectedly, surprised (Ardsma and Kelley). Then there's the old vet Miggy who is trying to make his case by experience and health (that he lacked last season).




The praise just keeps on coming for Lopey....
He was named to the All Tournament Team from the WBC and gets high praise from his fellow Venezuelan Mariner teammate, Felix...

Last year with the Mariners was a banner season offensively for Lopez, even as he did it in relative anonymity. He batted .297, hit 17 homers and drove in 89 runs. He then went and played 28 games in his home country over the winter, hitting .349 and driving in 34 runs.

"He's so mature now. He knows what he's doing and he's going to have a good year," said pitcher Felix Hernandez, his teammate in Seattle and on the Venezuelan team. "He's got more confidence and he knows what he has to do. He knows what he can do."

RRS (aka "the Hyphenator) - rotation or relief?
One of the bright spots late last season, Ryan just working to improve.

"Every start I learned something new about myself," Rowland-Smith said. "I'm slowly learning what kind of pitcher I am and maybe the end of this season I can come back and say this is the kind of pitcher I am.