The Seattle Mariners have just two Cactus League games remaining before heading back to Seattle for Opening Day, which is Thursday night (7:10 p.m. PT) against the Cleveland Guardians. 

But even though the calendar says it's just about time for baseball, that doesn't mean that the M's don't have some roster questions to answer in the final days of spring training.

We outline the handful of decisions remaining for the front office and the coaching staff below.

Having battled through shoulder discomfort most of the spring, Crawford has played in just seven games. He's also only played in three games at shortstop. 

Now 31 years old, Crawford is the longest-tenured Mariner on the roster. Acquired before the 2019 season, the M's picked him up in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies. A foundational figure in the organizational turnaround since then, Crawford won a Gold Glove Award in 2020 and serves as one of the biggest leaders in the clubhouse.

A career .248 hitter, he hit .265 in 2025, popping 12 homers and driving in 58 runs. Known for his plate discipline, he had a .352 on-base percentage and an OPS+ of 111.

The Mariners can certainly use his on-base skills, but they may opt to start him on the shelf in order to get him fully healthy. If he does start the season on the injured list, he isn't expected to miss much time, as noted by ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney on the 'Refuse to Lose' podcast.

This is largely dependent on the first question.

If Crawford is healthy, then that spot is almost assuredly going to Leo Rivas. A switch-hitter, Rivas is a slick defender at both second base and shortstop. He also runs well.

If Crawford is not healthy, Rivas figures to be the starter at shortstop, which opens up the depth infield position to either Ryan Bliss or Miles Mastrobuoni. If Bliss gets the job, there are questions about his ability to play shortstop and third base, and the team could risk losing Mastrobuoni, who is out of options.

If Mastrobuoni makes the team, then the M's are down a right-handed bench option, which could be detrimental against left-handed pitching, especially late in games.

Of course, Mastrobuoni is battling his own calf issue right now, so it's unclear if he'll be ready either.

The Mariners signed veteran Andrew Knizner to a $1 million guaranteed deal this offseason. Though he's never performed well with the bat, he's hitting just .172 with a .226 on-base percentage this spring.

The M's brought back Mitch Garver on a minor league deal in February, giving him a chance to make the team once again. He's hitting just .182 with a .308 on-base percentage. He has no home runs and no RBIs.

The Mariners are going to give Garver $2.25 million if he makes the major league roster, meaning if they keep him and jettison Knizner, they will have $3.25 million invested in the backup catcher spot.

Have Garver's numbers and his prior experience with the club and the pitching staff warranted that?

Bryce Miller is destined to start the year on the injured list because of his problematic left oblique. That leaves the battle for the fifth starter to Emerson Hancock and Cooper Criswell.

We've talked a lot about their situations and you can read more here.

We've talked a lot about this as well, and it's largely dependent on the above question.

Let's look at it this way:

Andres Munoz, Matt Brash, Gabe Speier, Jose Ferrer, Eduard Bazardo and Carlos Vargas are all out of options or won't be optioned to Triple-A, giving the Mariners essentially two bullpen spots to play with.

Casey Legumina is out of options, and even though he has an ERA of 6.23 this spring, that could be enough to keep him on the roster at the outset.

If Hancock wins the fifth starter job, then Criswell, also out of options, would figure to get the last bullpen spot. If Criswell gets the starter job, then Hancock (who does have an option) could be in the bullpen. Cole Wilcox is an option as well, having struck out 11 in 8.1 innings this spring.

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