By Paul L. Taylor Posted on

Mariners make another round of spring training roster moves

As we edge ever closer to opening day, the Mariners announced that three more players have been re-assigned to minor league camp.

No Major League organization has more players at the 2026 World Baseball Classic than the Seattle Mariners, tied with the New York Mets in sending 18 representatives to take part in the international tournament. However, they still need to make roster moves as we head towards opening day versus the Cleveland Guardians at Mar. 26.

The Mariners had previously reassigned catchers Luke Stevenson, Josh Caron and Connor Charping to Minor League camp on Mar. 1. Well, now pitchers Teddy McGraw and Austin Kitchen, along with outfielder Victor Labrada have also been reassigned to Minor League camp.

The Mariners announced the roster moves on Saturday and their spring training roster is now at 71 players, including the 40-man Major League roster, Logan Evans, who is on the 60-day injured list after season-ending UCL surgery, and 30 non-roster invitees. Here’s a look at the latest trio who were reassigned:

Teddy McGraw

The Mariners took a gamble when drafting McGraw in 2023 with him recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, but it speaks volumes about his potential that he was taken in the third round. The talent is clearly there, with MLB Pipeline ranking him 13th in the M’s farm system and with an ETA of 2027 pending if he can remain healthy.

Along these lines the righty did not see any action during spring training due to dealing with biceps tendinitis, as the Mariners do everything possible to rehabilitate him to get the most out of his arm. Last season he made 12 starts in the minors (along with two relief appearances), including eight starts in High-A Everett, where he recorded a 3.26 ERA, 24 strikeouts and 1.448 WHIP.

Austin Kitchen

Kitchen was not drafted by anyone, but in fairness to him the 2020 draft was shortened to five rounds as a result of the impact of COVID-19. He was claimed off waivers by the Mariners in Sept. 2024 after spells with the Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins, the latter of who he made his Major League debut with and had four appearances in total.

The 29-year-old southpaw was solid during last season in Triple-A Tacoma, as he produced a 3.36 ERA, 53 strikeouts and 1.278 WHIP in 69.2 combined innings over 48 appearances. Interestingly he did not see any playing time this year during spring training, whereas last season he pitched in six games, albeit the results weren’t that great for a player expected to provide dependable depth again in Tacoma.

Victor Labrada

Labrada has been with the Mariners organization since signing as an international free agent back in 2021. He’s made tremendous progress since then and last year saw his first action in Triple-A Tacoma, as he batted .265 with a .773 OPS in 61 games.

Earlier in the season the 26-year-old batted .295 with a .834 OPS in 67 games for Double-A Arkansas. and was named Texas League Player of the Week for April 28-May 4, at a time when he was also on a 10-game hitting streak. He looked good in limited action prior to being reassigned at the weekend, going 3-for-5 in five games and recording a walk, one stolen base and four runs of his own.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography & Mariners Media

Leave a Reply