The Seattle Mariners launch their 2012 Cactus League season Friday, and have penciled in the probable pitchers for the first four games. Felix Hernandez is not among them. Manager Eric Wedge is setting up Hernandez to start the season opener in Japan March 28, so Hernandez threw a simulated game Thursday instead of working the Cactus League opener Friday against the Athletics in Phoenix.
Blake Beavan will make Seattle’s first Cactus League start, with Hector Noesi working Saturday against Oakland. Jason Vargas will start Sunday against San Diego in the annual charity league game, and Hisashi Iwakuma will work Monday, also against the Padres.
All games start at 12:05 p.m., Pacific time.
Beavan, a 6-7 right hander, appeared in 15 games (all starts) for the Mariners in 2011, going 5-6 with a 4.27 ERA. He had his best outing Sept. 16 when he allowed just four hits over eight innings in a 4-0 victory over the Texas Rangers.
Noesi, who came to the Mariners Jan. 23 along with Jesus Montero in a trade that sent Michael Pineda to the Yankees, went 2-2 for New York with a 4.47 ERA. He posted his best outing July 22 when he blanked Oakland on four hits over 3.2 innings of relief.
Vargas had a 10-13 record and 4.25 ERA in 2011 working primarily as Seattle’s third starter. His season included a 2-0 complete-game shutout over Philadelphia June 19. Vargas had four complete games in 2011, including three shutouts.
Iwakuma has yet to pitch in the major leagues, but had an extensive All-Star career in Japan. He’ll make $1.5 million guaranteed in 2012 with a potential to earn $3.4 million in incentives.
Seattle Mariners 2012 Cactus League Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, March 2 | at Oakland Athletics | Phoenix | 1:05/12:05 |
| Saturday, March 3 | Oakland Athletics | Peoria | 1:05/12:05 |
| Sun. March 4 | San Diego Padres | Peoria | 1:05/12:05 |
| Mon. March 5 | San Diego Padres | Peoria | 1:05/12:05 |
| Tues. March 6 | Cincinnati Reds | Peoria | 1:05/12:05 |
| Wed. March 7 | at Los Angeles Angels | Tempe | 1:05/12:05 |
| Thurs. March 8 | at Chicago Cubs | Mesa | 1:05/12:05 |
| Fri. March 9 | Arizona Diamondbacks | Peoria | 1:05/12:05 |
| Sat. March 10 | Los Angeles Dodgers (ss) | Peoria | 1:05/12:05 |
| at Arizona Diamondbacks (ss) | Scottsdale | 7:10/6:10 | |
| Sun. March 11 | at San Francisco Giants | Scottsdale | 1:05 |
| Mon. March 12 | Texas Rangers | Peoria | 1:05 |
| Tues. March 13 | at Milwaukee Brewers | Maryvale | 1:05 |
| Wed. March 14 | Kansas City Royals | Peoria | 7:05 |
| Thurs. March 15 | San Francisco Giants | Peoria | 7:05 |
| Fri. March 16 | at Oakland Athletics | Phoenix | 7:05 |
| Sat. March 17 | at Chicago White Sox | Glendale | 1:05 |
| Sun. March 18 | Colorado Rockies | Peoria | 1:05 |
| Mon. March 19 | Chicago Cubs | Peoria | 1:05 |
| Tues. March 20 | at Cincinnati Reds | Goodyear | 1:05 |
| Wed. March 21 | Chicago White Sox | Peoria | 1:05 |
| Thurs. March 22 | Travel To Japan | — | — |
| Fri. March 23 | No game scheduled | — | — |
| Sat. March 24 | No game scheduled | — | — |
| Sun. March 25 | Exhibition game — TBA | Japan | TBA |
| Mon. March 26 | Exhibition game — TBA | Japan | TBA |
| Tues. March 27 | OFF DAY | — | — |
| Wed. March 28 | at Oakland (regular season) | Tokyo Dome | 3:05 a.m. |
| Thur. March 29 | at Oakland (regular season) | Tokyo Dome | 3:05 a.m. |
| Fri. March 30 | Return From Japan | — | — |
| Sat. March 31 | San Diego Padres (ss) | Peoria | 6:05 |
| Sun. April 1 | Kansas City Royals | Peoria | 1:05 |
| Mon. April 2 | Colorado Rockies | Peoria | 1:05 |
| Tues. April 3 | at Colorado Rockies | Scottsdale | 1:05 |
| Wed. April 4 | TBA | TBA | TBA |
— All times are local
— Daylight savings time begins March 11