SEATTLE, Wash. – Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today the club has invited 22 players to Major League Spring Training.
Of the 22 players that have been added to the Spring Training roster (in addition to the 40-man roster), 15 were members of the Mariners organization last season and 8 are homegrown products having been originally drafted or signed by Seattle.
Right-handed pitchers Christian Bergman, Hisashi Iwakuma, Ryan Garton and Casey Lawrence, catcher Tuffy Gosewisch, infielder Gordon Beckham each spent time with the Mariners in 2017 and have been invited to Spring Training as non-roster invitees.
Six players have been invited to spring training after signing minor league contracts this off season, including right-handed pitcher Johendi Jiminian, catcher Joe Odom, infielders Matt Hague and Rey Navarro and outfielders John Andreoli and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
The list of invitees feature several notable players from the Mariners player development system, including the 2017 Ken Griffey Jr. Minor League Hitter of the Year, outfielder Ian Miller, 2017 Edgar Martinez PTPA Award winner, infielder Jordan Cowan and the 60 FT. 6 IN. Club award winner, right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome. Right-handed pitchers Art Warren and Matt Festa, catcher Joe DeCarlo, and outfielder Braden Bishop each had strong 2017 minor league campaigns and represented the organization on the Peoria Javelinas roster, which won the Arizona Fall League Championship.
In addition, right-hander reliever Ryan Cook, outfielder Andrew Aplin and infielder Zach Vincej have also received Spring Training invites. Cook missed the 2017 season after having UCL surgery (Tommy John) on right elbow on October 20, 2016. Aplin spent last season with AAA Tacoma after being acquired by Seattle from Houston in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations on May 24. Vincej was claimed off waivers from Cincinnati on November 3 and outrighted to AAA Tacoma on November 7.
Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Peoria, AZ on Feb. 14 (physicals) and hold the first workout Feb. 15. Position players are scheduled to report for physicals Feb. 19 and the first full squad workout will be Feb. 20.
The Mariners Spring Training roster is currently at 61 players (39 roster, 22 non-roster), including 31 pitchers (9 non-roster), 6 catchers (3 non-roster), 13 infielders (5 non-roster) and 11 outfielders (5 non-roster).
Release courtesy of Seattle Mariners
