Mariners release 2016 spring-training schedule
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, Arizona.
Seattle’s 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 announced a special presale of single-game spring tickets from Dec. 5-7 for season ticket holders 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.
ACTA HIRED
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 Servias 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).
“His experience as a major-league third-base coach and manager, paired with his extensive player-development background, will be very valuable to me, and to our players, as we move forward.”
Acta, 46, served as manager in Washington for two-plus seasons from 2007-09 and in Cleveland from 2010-2012. He guided both clubs through rebuilding efforts and compiled a 372-518 record.
Before becoming the Nationals’ manager, Acta was a third-base coach for five years: 2002-04 with Montreal and 2005-06 with the New York Mets.
Acta is in his third year as the general manager for the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Winter League. He also has served recently as an analyst for ESPN and ESPN Desportes.
NATIONAL PRIDE
Outfield prospect Tyler O’Neill, who hit 32 homers this season in 106 games at Hi-A Bakersfield, wrote a piece for the Canadian Baseball Network on the importance of representing Canada in international events.
“The fact of being one of the select few to be called upon … to show that I am Canadian will always be an honor,” he wrote, “no matter what stage of my career I’m in.”
O’Neill, 20, was the Mariners’ third-round pick in 2013 and is one of five prospects from the organization taking part in the Premier 12 tournament in Taiwan.
Outfielder Gareth Morgan also is playing for Canada, while pitchers Emilio Pagan and Nick Valenza are representing Puerto Rico, and infielder Gianfranco Wawoe is playing for the Netherlands.
WINTER RUMBLINGS
▪ Lefty reliever C.J. Riefenhauser, acquired last week from Tampa Bay, has allowed five runs in 2 1/3 innings in four outings for Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League.
▪ Outfielder James Jones is on a .357 roll (17 for 45) over his last 11 games for the Licey Tigers. He is batting .329 overall in 22 games, with a .383 on-base percentage.
▪ Lefty swingman Vidal Nuno is 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four starts for Aragua in Venezuela. He has allowed four earned runs in 24 innings.
▪ Lefty James Paxton is logging some necessary innings for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, but he’s getting hit around. He has given up 12 runs (10 earned) and 26 hits in 20 1/3 innings.
▪ First baseman Kyle Petty, who spent last year at Bakersfield, was picked as the player of the week in the Australian Baseball League. He is 20 for 50 (.400) in 12 games for Adelaide, with five homers and 15 RBIs.
▪ Lefty reliever Ryan Horstman, a late Fall League replacement at Peoria for Tony Zych, has not allowed a run in 6 2/3 innings over seven appearances.
Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners
Mariners’ 2016 spring training schedule
(all times Pacific; all locations in Arizona)
March 2: vs. San Diego, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 3: at San Diego, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 4: at Milwaukee, 12:05 p.m., Maryvale
March 5: vs. Los Angeles Angels, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 6: at Texas, 12:05 p.m., Surprise
March 7: vs. Arizona, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 8: at Cleveland, 12:10 p.m., Goodyear
March 9: vs. Kansas City, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 10: vs. Chicago Cubs, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 11: at San Francisco, 12:05 p.m., Scottsdale
March 12 (split squad): at Cincinnati, 6:05 p.m., Goodyear
March 12 (split squad): vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m., Peoria
March 13: vs. Cincinnati, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 14 (split squad): vs. Colorado, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 14 (split squad): at Arizona, 1:10 p.m., Scottsdale
March 15: at Los Angeles Angels, 1:10 p.m., Tempe
March 16: vs. San Francisco, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 17: at Oakland, 1:05 p.m., Mesa
March 18: vs. Texas, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 19 (split squad): at Kansas City, 1:05 p.m., Surprise
March 19 (split squad): vs. Arizona, 7:10 p.m., Peoria
March 20: vs. Cleveland, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 21: at Los Angeles Angels, 1:05 p.m., Tempe
March 22: Open date
March 23: vs. Oakland, 7:10 p.m., Peoria
March 24: at Colorado, 1:10 p.m., Scottsdale
March 25: vs. Chicago White Sox, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 26: vs. Los Angeles Angels, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 27: at Chicago Cubs, 1:05 p.m., Mesa
March 28: vs. Kansas City, 1:10 p.m., Peoria
March 29: at Cleveland, 6:05 p.m., Goodyear
March 30: vs. San Diego, 12:10 p.m., Peoria
March 31: Open date
April 1: vs. Colorado, 7:10 p.m., Peoria
April 2: at Colorado, 12:10 p.m., Scottsdale
This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 9:05 PM with the headline "Mariners release 2016 spring-training schedule."