After a long offseason, the Seattle Mariners return to action in the Cactus League, kicking off their spring training against the San Diego Padres. The Mariners will feature left-hander Jhonathan Diaz, who is vying for a spot in the rotation after a solid Triple-A season. Other key players like Julio Rodriguez and JP Crawford will also take the field, indicating the team's intent to build on last year's near-playoff run. With Donovan Solano delayed due to visa issues and Jorge Polanco recovering from knee surgery, the roster remains competitive as players vie for limited spots.

The Mariners finished last season with an 85-77 record, just missing out on the playoffs. The Padres, conversely, had a strong performance and made it to the postseason, highlighting the competitive landscape ahead. Vancouver fans will be keen to see whether Diaz can solidify his position and how the rest of the roster performs in the run-up to the season.