PEORIA, Ariz. – Standing in front of home plate with his catcher’s gear on, Cal Raleigh was barely able to get his mitt down in time; the ball thrown by Andrés Muñoz during warmups dropped so quickly, so unexpectedly that it nearly hit the Mariners star catcher in the shin.

Angels 11, Mariners 10 at Tempe Diablo Stadium

Padres 5, Mariners 2 at the Peoria Sports Complex

The reactions from Manny Acta said everything. The Mariners' 56-year-old bench coach threw dozens of pitches to three of the Mariners' most promising prospects during batting practice Thursday afternoon on Field 2 of the Peoria Sports Complex. Two swings, in particular, stood out. 

PEORIA, Ariz. — With the players and coaches preparing for Friday’s opening Cactus League game, the Mariners front office officially announced the crews that will handle the television and radio broadcasts for the 2025 season, Thursday morning.

Victor Robles announced his presence at the Mariners complex, yelling the names of teammates that entered his line of sight, attacking them with hugs and happiness. The more players he saw, the more he yelled. What he was saying didn't really matter.

The last six weeks of success and solid baseball couldn't save the Mariners from watching the MLB playoffs for a second straight season. The last six weeks of strong at-bats where he smashed baseballs with power while swinging and missing at fewer pitches than the previous 4 1/2 months of the 2024 season couldn't salvage the overall numbers for Julio Rodriguez. 

"I didn't really have a big reaction to it," he said. "I mean, I still had the no-trade clause left in the contract. But if the team wanted to come to me in some negotiation, who knows what happens? It's not the first time my name's been linked to something like this. You never know what's happening. This is a business."

You don't need to be a grizzled old scout weathered by the sun and salty from sunflower seed consumption to recognize a well-thrown, mid-90s fastball without the use of a radar gun. 

PEORIA, Ariz. – This time, Matt Brash walked off the mound with a smile on his face and the belief that better days are soon ahead.

PEORIA, Ariz. – Wearing what is affectionately called a Texas tuxedo, which included pressed bluejeans, a pearl-snap dress shirt with a sports jacket, his best cowboy boots and a black Stetson, Bryce Miller walked to the lectern in the massive Brazos ballroom of the Waco Events Center with the same casual confidence he displays on the pitcher’s mound.