Mariners notebook: Just two games to go before the regular season

Things are winding down in Peoria quickly for the Mariners.

The boxes are being filled and taped up in the clubhouse, suitcases are stacked in the halls and the truck is being loaded outside the clubhouse door. Just two games remain before they all count, and, as always, it would appear that everyone is ready to get this thing started.

First thing is first, however. Game 32, the final game the Mariners will play in Peoria, gets underway at 7:10.

Lineup!

Nori Aoki, CF

Kyle Seager, 3B

Robinson Cano, 2B

Nelson Cruz, DH

Adam Lind, 1B

Franklin Gutierrez, RF

Seth Smith, LF

Chris Iannetta, C

Ketel Marte, SS

Wade Miley, P

Often in the penultimate game of spring training you will see the regular lineup start the game. Scott Servais may have gone in this direction, but the newest Martin had another idea. Leonys Martin is not with the club as he traveled home to Miami for the birth of his son. We are told all is well with mother and child and he should be back Saturday or Sunday.

Notes

• I was on with “Danny, Dave and Moore” live in Peoria on Friday afternoon previewing the season. You can listen to the segment here.

• Wade Miley is scheduled to go just two or three innings with Mike Montgomery, Vidal Nuno, Joaquin Benoit, Tony Zych and Donn Roach behind him.

• There are still 33 players in big league camp, but it appears all decisions have been made. “We have met with our pitchers, they know where they are at,” said manager Scott Servais. “A couple guys are still in camp even though they are non-roster guys. We still need a little pitching help to get through these last couple of games. I will meet with the last couple of position players today.”

• The main role of a bullpen coach is usually to get the relievers ready to come into games when the phone rings. Mike Hampton’s duties, according to pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, will go well beyond answering the phone and counting pitches. “I trust Mike Hampton and I trust what he tells our players in what to do,” he said. “I give a lot of responsibility to Mike Hampton and a lot of trust with what goes on out there. He’s going to coach. He’s going to be an extension through me but it’s like having another pitching coach. He’s got a great set of eyes, he sees things and he has been in every situation and every opportunity in this game at all levels. I would be a fool to not lean on him. With that being said, we will make changes and adjustments together.”

• Upcoming announced regular season probables: April 4 at Texas, Felix Hernandez vs. Cole Hamels; April 5 at Texas, Hisashi Iwakuma vs. TBA; April 6 at Texas,
Wade Miley vs TBA; April 8 vs. Oakland, Taijuan Walker vs. Felix Doubront; April 9 vs. Oakland, Nathan Karns vs. Sonny Gray; April 10 vs. Oakland, Felix Hernandez vs. Rich Hill.