Dan Wilson discussed the reasoning for Canzone being in the outfield over Raley in the Mariners' series against the Athletics
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners entered this offseason with questions over how they'll handle right field. But so far the approach has been pretty simple.
When the Mariners have faced right-handed pitching — Luke Raley has taken the majority of starts in right while Dominic Canzone has been the designated hitter. Against left-handed pitching, Rob Refsnyder has been in the outfield primarily since Victor Robles went down with injury.
However, Seattle has slightly switched up that formula over the last two games.
In game one against the Athletics on Monday, the M's opted to go with Canzone in right field and Raley in the DH spot. The Mariners went with that same formula again ahead of the series finale against the A's on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.
"I think it's just trying to keep both of them as sharp as we can," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Wednesday. "(Raley's) played out there quite a bit and a chance for Dom to get a couple reps out there, as well."
The first run of Canzone in the field and Raley DHing went well for the former, even if it didn't result in a win for the Mariners. The M's lost 6-4 to the A's on Monday.
In that game, Canzone went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run. He had one RBI and scored one run.
Entering Wednesday, Canzone has slashed .269/.328/.558 with an .886 OPS in 20 games. He's hit six doubles and three home runs with 10 RBIs.
Raley has a slash line of .296/.351/.592 with a .943 OPS in 23 games this year. He's hit four doubles, a triple and five homers with 13 RBIs.
Other notes
-- The crown jewel acquisition of the offseason for Seattle, third baseman/utility player Brendan Donovan, was placed on the injured list April 20 (retroactive to April 18) due to a left groin strain.
Donovan has remained with the team since being placed on the IL and did light agility drills and running ahead of the series finale against the A's.
"It's a good sign that he's out here and feeling good to get on his feet and get moving," Wilson said. "I think it's a good thing. Also (gives) us a little bit more indication of how he bounces back and all that. It's good to see him out here. It's good to see him getting started and I think that's a step in the right direction, for sure."
Donovan has slashed .304/.437/.518 with a .955 OPS in 18 games this year and has hit three doubles and three homers with eight RBIs.
Seattle Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan throws during a game against the San Diego Padres on April 14 at Petco Park in San Diego. | David Frerker/Imagn Images.-- Robles has been out since April 8 (retroactive to April 7) due to a right pectoral strain. He's shut down from throwing for a couple weeks, per comments made by Mariners general manager Justin Hollander. However, Robles has been staying ready and progressing in other ways.
Robles played a game of catch Wednesday and has also gotten some swings in during early batting practice.
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