PEORIA, Ariz. — A lot can change in a year and Seattle Mariners infielder Ryan Bliss is a perfect example of that.

Bliss' last two hits in a Mariners uniform were eerily similar — a double off the wall in a regular season game against the Houston Astros on April 8, 2025, and a double off the wall in a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels on March 3. In the 11 months between those two hits, the former Auburn infielder has gone through a combination of professional setbacks and personal milestones.

"It felt great (to get that first hit Tuesday)," Bliss said in an interview Wednesday. "You're just sitting there all (last) summer, watching the boys play, just wishing that was you. To get that first hit, back and playing in games, it felt awesome."

Bliss won Seattle's starting second base job coming out of camp last season. He had the role for just under two weeks before he tore his left biceps tendon in the aforementioned game against the Astros.

The 26-year-old spent most of the season rehabbing from the injury and went on a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers at the end of August. In September, he suffered a torn right meniscus that ended any chances of contributing to the roster in the final stretch of the season.

"You can't do anything unless you're healthy," Bliss said. "My biggest thing is — I can't help this team win if I'm not healthy. So after the first (injury), my whole thing was get back for the season. Then once I did and got hurt again, my whole thing was just get back for next season, so I could help this team win. ... Obviously I was down on myself, but I couldn't let that stop anything."

In his personal life, Bliss also got married in a ceremony officiated by his teammate J.P. Crawford.

Bliss said wedding planning helped distract him and get him through the recovery. He was also with the team at several points last year while rehabbing.

Now, he's healthy and ready to compete. But he'll have a bigger hill to climb than last year in order to earn regular playing time.

Cole Young, who was one of the infielders who competed with Bliss for the second base job last season, is the favorite after registering 77 games in the majors in 2025.

Other players such as top prospect Colt Emerson, recently acquired '25 All-Star Brendan Donovan, top 100 prospect Michael Arroyo and Leo Rivas all factor into the second base competition this year.

"It's definitely a deep group," Bliss said. "Give kudos to the organization for going out and getting guys. I think everybody's homegrown pretty much. Except me. It's a good group of guys and I think it only builds up the competition. It makes me play better, for sure. Everybody's good. Everybody has what it takes and all you got to do is go out there and compete. It's all I can do."

Due to the current depth at the position, the likeliest path back to the big leagues for Bliss is in a utility role off the bench. Current utility player and World Baseball Classic participant Miles Mastrobuoni, who had the role on the team last year Bliss is likely currently vying for, is out of minor league options.

Rivas has one minor league option left on his deal whereas Bliss has two.

Regardless, Bliss is now healthy and ready to compete. If he strings together consistent performances, he could find himself back in the major leagues sooner rather than later.

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