SEATTLE -- The Mariners entered Spring Training with one of their most complete rosters in recent memory, without many question marks and no real voids.
So, perhaps it’s fitting that the club unveiled its 26-man contingent for Opening Day one day early.
The club made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon before a scheduled workout at T-Mobile Park opposite the Guardians, who the Mariners meet for a four-game series beginning with Thursday’s opener at 7:10 p.m. PT.
The notable -- and expected -- omissions were shortstop J.P. Crawford (right shoulder inflammation) and starting pitcher Bryce Miller (left oblique strain), who were placed on the 10- and 15-day injured lists, respectively, on Wednesday. Both are expected to return at some point in April, with Crawford having already begun baseball activity in Arizona. Utilityman Miles Mastrobuoni (right calf strain) will also begin the year on the IL.
Here’s how the Opening Day 26-man roster looks:
Catcher (2): Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver
Raleigh is expected to see a similar workload to last year, when he logged 1,072 innings behind the plate while swatting a record 60 homers. But when he’s not, the veteran who he lobbied the front office to bring back will be there, as Garver won the backup gig in spring over Andrew Knizner, who cleared waivers and elected free agency on Wednesday.
First base (1): Josh Naylor
Seattle’s front office was just as eager that it will get a full season of production from its key Trade Deadline acquisition from 2025 as it was to bring him back at the offseason’s outset, on a five-year, $92.5 million free-agent contract.
Second base (1): Cole Young
Young was arguably the Mariners best player -- and their most promising development -- in Spring Training, and it’s possible that no other hitter could raise the overall floor of the lineup in 2026.
Third base (1): Brendan Donovan
The prized offseason trade acquisition looks as advertised -- largely for how hard he plays. When the Mariners finally reeled him in from the Cardinals, the thought was that he’d play multiple spots. But he’s exclusively manned the hot corner all spring.
Shortstop (1): Leo Rivas
Rivas is expected to be a short-term placeholder for Crawford, who would be eligible to return as early as April 1.
Left field (1): Randy Arozarena
Despite some defensive lapses and a glut of other corner outfielders on the roster, the Mariners firmly view Arozarena as their everyday left fielder and not a DH hybrid. The soon-to-be free agent is coming off a banner year, with a career-best 27 homers, 31 stolen bases and his second All-Star selection.
Center field (1): Julio Rodríguez
Whether he can finally put together his elite production over a full six months rather than more exclusively in the second half will be the prevailing narrative on one of the sport’s most talented players.
Right field (2): Luke Raley, Victor Robles
This spot will tentatively feature a platoon, and among the roster’s biggest bounceback candidates, given that they were each sidelined with significant injuries in 2025. But how much of a timeshare each will have could be based on matchups. Raley had a great spring while Robles was more limited.
Designated hitter (2): Dominic Canzone, Rob Refsnyder
Another platoon, and another that could be in flux longer term. Canzone warranted an enhanced role after a breakout in 2025, but his glove isn’t nearly as strong as the Raley/Robles tandem. Same for Refsnyder, who mashes left-handed pitching and was signed to a one-year, $6.25 million contract in December to do just that.
Utility/bench (1): INF Ryan Bliss
This would’ve been the spot for Rivas, but with him expected to start in the short term, the door opened for Bliss to make the team. And he has the chance to be another bounceback candidate, having missed virtually all of last season due to surgeries on his torn left biceps and right meniscus.
Starting pitchers (5): RHP Logan Gilbert, RHP George Kirby, RHP Bryan Woo, RHP Luis Castillo, RHP Emerson Hancock
Keeping this group as healthy as possible could be what determines whether the Mariners run away with the division, and they’ll already be without Miller for a short period -- though it’s worth noting that his issue is not arm-related. That opens the door for Hancock, who's been their de-facto No. 6 and injury fill-in going on three years now and who quietly put together a solid camp, with increased velocity and the development of a sweeper that could be a real weapon.
Relief pitchers (8): RHP Andrés Muñoz, RHP Matt Brash, LHP Gabe Speier, RHP Eduard Bazardo, LHP Jose A. Ferrer, RHP Carlos Vargas, RHP Casey Legumina, RHP Cooper Criswell
Theoretically, there were 1-2 spots up for grabs in camp. But a closer look at each candidate’s roster flexibility had long suggested that Criswell and Legumina -- who are out of Minor League options -- would solidify those.