SEATTLE -- It's an annual rite of passage, the first sign that Spring Training indeed is drawing near. The Mariners' equipment truck, packed with everything from baseball gear to office equipment, headed out of Safeco Field on Tuesday and began the long haul to Peoria, Ariz.
Truck Day means it's officially time for the Mariners to head south, where they'll set up camp at their Peoria Sports Center complex for seven weeks. The Mariners' 18-wheeler set out on the 1,400-mile journey about noon PT on Tuesday and will arrive in Arizona on Thursday evening.
Once in Peoria, the Mariners' clubhouse crew will unpack the gear -- which includes baseball, medical and video equipment as well as personal items for players, coaches and staff members -- and begin setting up for the club's third camp under manager Scott Servais.
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A number of Mariners players are already in Peoria working out, but the official day for pitchers and catchers to report for physicals is Feb. 14, a sweet start to the season on Valentine's Day.
Pitchers and catchers will hit the field for their first workout on Feb. 15, with position players due to report for physicals on Feb. 19. The first full-squad workout is Feb. 20 and Cactus League play opens Feb. 23 with a 12:10 p.m. PT game against the Padres at Peoria Stadium.
There will be 32 Cactus League games this spring before the Mariners return to Seattle to open the regular season on March 29 against the Indians at 7:10 p.m. PT.