3/11: Open game thread

Baseball is back on TV today! Just in time to watch Erasmo Ramirez get his second spring training start... hooray.

At this point, because he is out of team option years, Ramirez seems to be battling for a spot as the fifth starter (super unlikely), a position as the long man in the bullpen (pretty unlikely), or is auditioning for other teams in the hopes that the Mariners could maybe trade him for some ~low level prospect(s) (maybe? I don't know!). It seems pretty certain that he wouldn't pass through waivers, so if he doesn't stick on the 25 man roster, the Mariners will likely be saying goodbye to Erasmo by the end of Spring Training. I like Ramirez more than I probably should; he has shown brief flashes of being a competent big league pitcher throughout his career, but he's struggled mightily with consistency. At just 24-years-old, he's younger than Danny Hultzen and Roenis Elias, but it just doesn't seem like there's a place for him in this organization any  longer.

Following Ramirez will be Mr. Danny Hultzen, who will be throwing in a game for the first time since 2013. Exciting! I look forward to watching Hultzen pitch. By all accounts, he's had a pretty successful spring so far. If he can stay healthy and come anywhere close to living up to his potential, that would go a loooong way in helping the Mariners with their pitching depth.

In today's lineup, Chris Taylor and Brad Miller continue their ongoing attempt to one up one another. Brad had the hotter bat yesterday (going 2 for 3 with a double), but he did make an error at second... who knows if either player has started to gain the upperhand. We also have the opportunity to get another look at a Rickie Weeks, Justin Ruggiano, Seth Smith outfield. Yay. Hopefully Smith can record his first hit in a Seattle Mariner uniform today. Cruz and Seager also rejoin the lineup, so maybe we can watch some dingers today. I hope so!

The Rockies also have some players. Christian Bergman is a 26-year-old righty who hasn't ever pitched in the big leagues but is battling for a spot in the Rockies rotation. Also, Troy Tulowitzki gets his second start of the spring. The first four men in the Rockies lineup all have some pop; it'd be nice if Hultzen gets the opportunity to pitch against them so we can get a better idea of where he's at.

Game Info

• Seattle Mariners vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 PM PST
  
• TV: ROOT, MLB.tv
• Radio: 710 ESPN
  

Starting Lineups