Seattle, WA
Takeaways From Seattle Mariners First Road Series Against San Francisco Giants
The Seattle Mariners are coming off a dreadful series by the Bay.
The San Francisco Giants beat the Mariners 5-4 on Sunday and swept the three-game series. Seattle had a chance to win all three games. But missed opportunities plagued the team. They are now 3-7 and in last place in the American League West.
Here’s the takeaways from the Mariners first road series of the season:
There are few bullpens in the American League that have been tested and taxed like Seattle’s has the first 10 games of the season.
The Mariners had to use all eight relievers in a 10-9, 11-inning loss to the Giants on Friday. Seattle was able to protect the bullpen for the rest of the series. Jesse Hahn, who was called up from Triple-A for Game 2 of the series, was able to pitch two solid innings Saturday.
The Mariners have used a high volume of relievers in the early going, and have had to ask some of those relievers to go beyond their usual norms (Collin Snider threw 43 pitches on Friday). Troy Taylor has two rehab appearances under his belt in Tacoma and would seem to be close-ish to returning, with Matt Brash expected to depart on a rehab assignment soon.
Troy Taylor throws a scoreless rehab inning. 1 hit allowed, 1 strikeout. pic.twitter.com/Aidlkv3Iis
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) April 5, 2025
Every reliever has been utilized in the first 10 games of the season. And Seattle will need Taylor and Brash to avoid overusing the bullpen.
After being out on Paternity Leave, Polanco was back in the lineup for the Mariners in Game 1 on Friday. He went 3-for-5 with a run, a home run, a walk and four RBIs.
POLO DOES IT AGAIN 💥 pic.twitter.com/rUtDfOjgw9
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 4, 2025
Polanco was kept out of the starting lineup for the final two games of the series with a sore knee. He entered at the end of the Game 3 because Victor Robles exited the game with a shoulder injury. Polanco was the last man on the bench and stood at first base for the Giants’ walk-off hit.
The Mariners have made it a priority to keep Polanco healthy. That was one of the main reasons the team made the decision to move him from second base to third after they re-signed him. And based on the way he’s hitting, that decision is the right one.
If Polanco’s knee continues to flare up, even while getting reps at third, then Seattle might have to consider moving Polanco to a full-time designated hitter role. That would create several issues when it comes to the team’s lineup construction.
The Mariners had opportunities to win all three games but failed to bring home the necessary runs to pull out the victories.
In the three-game series, Seattle hit .156 (5-for-32) with runners in scoring position. The Mariners left 35 runners stranded total. They lost the trio of contests by a combined five runs. After Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena tied Sunday’s game 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, the Mariners left the bases loaded.
Raaaaandy ties it up in the 9th! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/zhgLETTBiX
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 6, 2025
Seattle’s only three wins this season have been when its starting pitcher has had a quality start and Andres Munoz has had the save.
The Mariners inability to bring runners over has been the biggest weakness of the team so far. And it’s created a very slim margin of error that requires Seattle’s pitching staff to be near-perfect.
The Mariners will look to get back on track in Game 1 of a three-game series against the Houston Astros at 6:40 p.m. PT on Monday at T-Mobile Park. Logan Gilbert will start for Seattle and Hayden Wesneski will start for Houston.
SEATTLE MARINERS OUTFIELDER VICTOR ROBLES EXITS GAME AGAINST SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: The Mariners right fielder exited the series finale against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday and underwent tests after the game. CLICK HERE
SEATTLE MARINERS SWEPT BY SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh homered but the Mariners were walked off by the Giants for the second time in three games. CLICK HERE
CAL RALEIGH TIES MARINERS RECORD WITH LATEST HOME RUN: The Mariners Platinum Glove-winning catcher has yet another record under his belt after hitting a homer against the San Francisco Giants. CLICK HERE
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @RefuseToLosePod. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.
Kansas football coach Lance Leipold speaks at Jayhawks’ pro day event
Check out some of what Kansas football coach Lance Leipold had to say recently at the Jayhawks’ 2026 pro day event in Lawrence.
LAWRENCE — Emmanuel Henderson Jr. went into the 2026 NFL Draft in April thinking that third day, when the fourth-through-seventh rounds played out, would be when he’d be taken.
Henderson, a wide receiver in college for Kansas football this past season, wasn’t sure which team would pick him. He’d talked with the Seattle Seahawks organization during the pre-draft process sure, but there was nothing guaranteed. Overall, he was just ready for his first professional opportunity.
Seattle, though, did end up being the team that drafted him in the sixth round. That the Seahawks are coming off of a Super Bowl title certainly stands out to him, as does the fact he’ll be able to reunite with some former teammates from Alabama — where he was, prior to transferring to KU for the 2025 season. And he’s both happy to have ended up in Seattle, and eager to show what he’d told NFL teams about his ability during the pre-draft process.
“You could see from my film, I can take the top off any defense you put me against,” Henderson said recently. “Not only that, that I’m a receiver that loves to play special teams. So, that’s one of the great abilities I got to showcase, too.”
Henderson became an All-Big 12 Conference first team honoree as a returner this past season, in addition to making the third team as a wide receiver. He added an honorable mention recognition for offensive newcomer of the year. He came to Kansas because it gave him a chance to showcase his talents, because there was playing time up for grabs, and he took advantage of his opportunity.
Henderson, who highlighted his kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia as one fond memory, sees his special teams experience as something that can give him an advantage as he tries to make Seattle’s roster. That he’s played at different spots there, he feels, makes him a more versatile athlete. As the offseason unfolds, he just wants to show his new coaches his personality as he puts in more work, and develop chemistry with his new teammates.
KU coach Lance Leipold shared a post on social media following Henderson’s selection by Seattle, expressing his support. Henderson’s also heard from so many friends and family members in the days since. Now, it’s just about making sure that versatility translates to the next level.
“I’m looking forward to just moving around, inside, outside receiver, even part of the backfield if I get the chance to,” Henderson said. “But anywhere they’ll put me I’d love to go.”
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
The Seattle Mariners have a new pitcher, and it’s one they’re quite familiar with.
Cal Raleigh has soreness in side, out of Mariners’ lineup again
Longtime former Los Angeles Angels left-hander José Suarez was claimed by the Mariners on Sunday off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. To make room on the 40-man roster, Seattle designated Triple-A outfielder Rhylan Thomas for assignment.
The Mariners (16-18 entering Sunday) and the MLB-leading Braves (24-10) are set to begin a three-game series at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park on Monday night.
The 28-year-old Suarez is in his eighth MLB season, the first six of which were with the Angels. Because of his long tenure playing for a Mariners AL West rival, Suarez has played against the Mariners (14 games, 10 starts, 59 1/3 innings) more than any other MLB team.
Braves star Acuña to 10-day IL, out for series vs. Mariners
Suarez had a 6.61 ERA in eight games (one start) and 16 1/3 innings for the Braves this season. He first joined the Braves last year.
The Braves designated Suarez for assignment on Friday.
The best seasons of Suarez’s career were in 2021 and 2022 with the Angels, both years in which he went 8-8 with an ERA below 4.00 and WHIP under 1.25.
The Mariners had to scramble to fill a spot in the bullpen this week when right-hander Matt Brash went on the injured list with right lat inflammation. They initially called up left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma just before their game against Kansas City on Friday night, then replaced Simpson by calling up Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas on Saturday.
Thomas, 26, made his MLB debut last season, appearing in three games for the Mariners. This year in Triple-A, he’s has a .260/.313/.328 slash line for a .641 OPS with two home runs in 31 games. Thomas was an 11th-round MLB Draft pick in 2022 out of USC by the New York Mets.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• Mariners prospect Montes showcases power with three-HR game
• Mariners to honor Randy Johnson with statue in 2027
• A factor that can help Cole Young earn All-Star nod
• Mariners promote pitcher from Double-A to majors
• Seattle Mariners Injury Update: Latest on Miller, Robles, more
Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh is day-to-day with “general soreness” after being pulled from the lineup before Saturday’s game, manager Dan Wilson told reporters after a 3-2 loss in 10 innings against the Kansas City Royals.
Wilson said Raleigh underwent imaging, though he did not specify what on, and the team will assess their star catcher’s status Sunday.
“We’re trying to be as cautious as possible,” Wilson said.
Raleigh was originally slated to start at catcher and bat second in the middle game of the three-game series, but he was scratched from the lineup about 90 minutes before first pitch.
Mitch Garver got the start in place of Raleigh and went 1 for 4 at the plate and struck out three times, including to lead off the 10th inning.
Saturday’s game was the first Raleigh has missed this season. He had started 32 of the previous 33, including 25 at catcher, and came in as a pinch-hitter in the only game he didn’t start.
Raleigh is batting .186 with a .652 OPS, seven homers and four doubles this season. He has hit five home runs in his past 10 games.
Raleigh finished as the American League MVP runner-up during a record-setting campaign in 2025. He led baseball with 60 home runs, setting single-season MLB records for most home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter, as well as the Mariners’ single-season homer mark. Raleigh also drove in an AL-best 125 RBIs while hitting .247 with a .948 OPS.
The Mariners added a third catcher to their 26-man roster shortly after Raleigh was scratched from the lineup. Jhonny Pereda was called up from Triple-A Tacoma and infielder Will Wilson was placed on the 10-day injured list with fractured left thumb.
More on the Seattle Mariners
• Seattle Mariners to honor Randy Johnson with statue in 2027
• Mariners promote pitcher from Double-A to majors
• A factor that can help Cole Young earn All-Star nod
• Mariners Injury Update: Latest on Miller, Robles and more
• Seattle Mariners place Matt Brash on IL, recall lefty reliever
-
Georgia4 minutes agoCould Georgia baseball win the SEC for the first time in almost 20 years?
-
Hawaii10 minutes ago2026 Hawaii (HHSAA) High School Baseball Playoffs: Brackets, Schedules – May 6
-
Idaho16 minutes agoAs Automated Tech Rises, Idaho Eliminates Registration Tags
-
Illinois22 minutes agoDOJ seeking Illinois voter data to purge suspected noncitizens, documents suggest
-
Indiana28 minutes agoMan dies in 2-vehicle crash on WB I-64 in Southern Indiana
-
Iowa34 minutes agoIowa gas prices rise above $4 per gallon for first time since 2022
-
Kentucky46 minutes agoOp/Ed: It was a Great Kentucky Derby Day, but Not Without a Sour Note as CAW Players Feasted on Regular Joes
-
Louisiana52 minutes agoCivil rights groups say Purcell principle prevents Louisiana from suspending elections when votes have already been cast