There will be as much attention on what is happening in the minors as what is happening with the major league club.

Despite struggling at the plate the entire spring and looking every bit his 45 years of age, Ichiro will be in the Mariners’ starting lineup on Wednesday night at the Tokyo Dome when they open the 2019 season against the Oakland A’s.

There have been 15 pitchers who have started a season opener for the Seattle Mariners in their first 42 seasons, with former Gonzaga standout Marco Gonzales scheduled to become No. 16 on that list when the M’s begin their season this week in Japan.

Clint Roig was an eager listener whenever his grandfather Tony wanted to share one of the many stories related to his baseball career.

The two players and their manager walked through the underground tunnel that took them from the basement of the Tokyo Dome to the banquet room floor of the Tokyo Dome Hotel. The threesome chatted a little as a series of MLB and Mariners staff members served as chaperones for the short trip.

Ichiro wore a gray-and-black hat and slipped quickly through the arrival gate at Haneda Airport.

Throughout the offseason, the decisions made about the future of the Seattle Mariners took on different catchphrases.

Yusei Kikuchi’s goal was always to pitch in the major leagues. The dream is now the reality for the newest starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. But in a twist, his debut will come in his native Japan. He will start the second game of the 2019 season against the Oakland Athletics in the Tokyo Dome next week.

Hernandez is beginning the season as the No. 5 starter on a Mariners team Fangraphs is projecting to win 75 games. If I’m Felix, I’m using my (likely) last season in Seattle to be the best teammate possible.

Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager needs surgery on his left hand and will be out at least through April.

Felix Hernandez doesn’t think he could have changed the mind of Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais about opening day, even by pitching well this spring.