Mariners announce spring schedule, hire Manny Acta as coach

Is it too early to look ahead to spring training?

The Mariners announced their 2016 Cactus League schedule Tuesday along with their various reporting and first-workout dates.

Their 33-game schedule begins March 2 against San Diego, their co-tenant at the Peoria (Arizona) Sports Complex. The Mariners will break camp after an April 2 game against Colorado at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The regular season begins April 4 at Texas. The home opener is April 8 against Oakland at Safeco Field.

The Mariners open camp Feb. 18 when pitchers and catchers undergo physical examinations at the club’s year-round complex in Peoria. Workouts for those players begin the following day.

The rest of the spring roster – infielders and outfielders – will undergo physicals on Feb. 24. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 25.

The Mariners also announced a special presale of single-game spring tickets from Dec. 5-7 for season-ticketholders and fans who have registered at www.Mariners.com.

Single-game tickets become available to all fans, through online sales, on Dec. 12. The Peoria Stadium box office opens on Jan. 9.

M’s hire Acta

The Mariners confirmed the hiring of Manny Acta to be their third-base coach. The move adds an experienced big-league manager to the club’s field staff.

New manager Scott Servais has never been a full-time manager or coach at any level. The move leaves the Mariners with openings for a first-base coach and a bullpen coach.

“I believe Manny will be a great addition to our staff,” Servais said. “I’ve known him for over 25 years, since we were teammates in 1989 (in the Houston system).”