Let’s run this back, TODAY is the first day of Mariners baseball, and they’re even putting it on TV! 12:10 PM PT on ROOT sports, we will have a game thread and dangit there will be a chart, recap, the whole shebang.

In Mariners news...

• Seattle had their game rained out yesterday, sadly.
• The lineup for yesterday’s game looked like this, alas.

• At least spring training has some fun alternatives in the rain. Also, duly noted, Donavan Walton.

• In case you missed it, the Mariners claimed RHP Taylor Williams off waivers from the Brewers. The reliever takes the spot of RHP Phillips Valdez, who was designated for assignment.
• And with yesterday’s writeup on Marco Gonzales by Zach Gottschalk, our 40 in 40 preview series is complete! Are you or a friend wondering, “wait who is that guy?” Send yourself (and them) the link to our full story stream here.
• David Laurila’s weekly notes column for FanGraphs includes some (unsurprisingly) glowing quotes from Jerry Dipoto about three of the Mariners pitching prospects: George Kirby, Brandon Williamson, and Tim Elliott.
• Good on ya, Jarred, though you do look more like Gary Oldman than I’d prefer in this photo.

Around the league...

• Astros game one went about as well as could be expected.

• Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal ($), who uncovered the information about the Astros front office creating and propagating the sign-stealing program “Codebreaker”, has an in-depth look at how Astros owner Jim Crane has had a lengthy history of personal and professional issues prior to Houston’s cheating under his stewardship.
• Cheers to the Athletics for earning designation as a Certified Autism Center for their spring training facility, Hohokam Stadium.
• The White Sox extended one of their best relievers, LHP Aaron Bummer, for a low-cost deal with up to seven years of control and $16 million guaranteed.
• Chicago also extended OF Leury Garcia with a one year deal with a team option, with $3.5 million each season.
• Marlins prospect Jazz Chisholm took things a bit too literally.

• The Players Union reportedly does not like MLB’s daft two-city plan for Tampa and Montreal, and prefers an option that leaves the team in Tampa full-time.
• Tyler Kepner and James Wagner for the New York Times chronicled the timeline of mistakes by Rob Manfred that led to the disastrous situation he’s created in handling the Astros cheating.
• Zack Greinke learned a valuable bit of info about spring training requirements.

• Rockies top prospect Brendan Rodgers is nearly recovered from the surgery that repaired his right shoulder labrum. He’s able to throw 180 feet pain-free and swing the bat.
• RHP Marco Estrada, who was cut loose by Oakland after back injuries last season, is working to return to health and pitch again in 2020.
• How weird is this?

• Cubs reliever Brandon Morrow has an upper right chest strain, shutting him down for the moment.
• The Red Sox have hired Jerry Narron as bench coach.
• Rays promising prospect Brendan McKay has been slowed by shoulder stiffness, having yet to throw a bullpen.
• Former Mariners pitcher Mike Montgomery is optimistic about a return to the rotation with the Royals, following a multi-year stretch between starting and working in the bullpen that began well but ended ignominiously last season.
• Things don’t appear to be looking up on the field either for Houston, with their pitching depth struggling with health out the gate.

John’s pick...

• When Peppa pig flies, and also this dog, good things happen.