The Seattle Mariners have shut down their spring training facility in Arizona because of the virus outbreakand told their players to view the coming weeks as though they’re in offseason mode.

As the Mariners’ spring training complex underwent a cleaning that was deep enough to please even the most germophobic person Saturday, the uncertainty of baseball, sports and daily life in amid the outbreak of the novel coronavirus lingers, bringing fear and apprehension.

With a new grip on his fastball, the Mariners’ Justus Sheffield pitched three innings Sunday, allowing one run on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

Thanks to injuries, ineptitude and a rebuilding plan that was going to focus on the future more in 2020, the Mariners had to make some creative decisions for the day-to-day outfield in 2019.

A conversation with Mallex Smith can be enlightening, amusing and maddening, all in the same moment.

After nearly two weeks in Arizona watching the Mariners go through the rigors of spring training, I am much more optimistic about their 2020 outlook.

It’s a decision sure to irritate fantasy baseball owners looking to pick up some saves for their pun-named team from a low-round draft pick or waiver claim.

Given the organization’s plan of playing the young kids to generate big-league experience and looking at the 40-man roster and projected Opening Day roster, the concept of camp battles for roster spots has been largely nonexistent this spring. But there is genuine competition for the last two of the bench spots on the roster.

Evan White, the Mariners’ projected starting first baseman, has been out of game action the past four days after dealing with a minor groin issue.

For the first time since perhaps infancy, Ichiro has begun a baseball season with no aspirations of being an active ballplayer.

Kendall Graveman’s voice softened and even wavered a little discussing the memory.