The Seattle Mariners have officially kicked off their 2026 Cactus League schedule, starting Friday with a game that sets the tone for the coming season. Despite the games being exhibitions and not counting toward the regular season, the Mariners have already secured wins over the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds, with a loss to the San Francisco Giants sandwiched in between. One standout moment came from Miles Mastrobuoni, who hit the first grand slam of spring, significantly boosting his chances to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster since he has no minor league options left. Meanwhile, much attention is focused on players who have yet to appear in games, most notably Brendan Donovan.
Brendan Donovan’s Debut Still Pending as Mariners Manage Expectations
Among the new offensive additions, Brendan Donovan and Rob Refsnyder have drawn significant attention from Mariners fans and commentators alike. Donovan, in particular, is viewed as a potential fan favorite in Seattle, creating buzz around his impending spring debut. However, as of the start of the week, neither player has appeared in a game, which has raised some questions. Mariners manager Dan Wilson addressed this during a recent podcast, suggesting that both Donovan and Refsnyder would make their spring training debuts within a few days.
Refsnyder took the field as part of the starting lineup for Monday’s exhibition against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but Donovan remains sidelined. Expectations are high for Donovan to appear soon, possibly in Tuesday’s game versus the Chicago White Sox. Should Donovan continue to be absent, the Mariners are likely to face increased scrutiny about his status given his role as an All-Star utility player.
Here was #Mariners manager Dan Wilson talking about getting Rob Refsnyder and Brendan Donovan into games in the next few days.#TridentsUp #RefuseToLose pic.twitter.com/YK2t5ybrco
— Brady Farkas, Refuse to Lose Podcast
Strong Performances From Prospects Jonny Farmelo and Lazaro Montes
The Mariners’ spring training has also highlighted several promising young players, with Jonny Farmelo and Lazaro Montes standing out during recent games. On Sunday, in a high-scoring 14-8 win over the Reds, Farmelo delivered a clutch performance by driving in the go-ahead run with a powerful double in the ninth inning. His ability to hit a 106 mph low-and-away sinker to the opposite field showcased his batting skill and composure in pressure situations.
MLB’s No. 78 prospect Jonny Farmelo drives in Felnin Celestin on a 106 mph double 🔥@Mariners | @MsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/ohRDxcglos
— MLB Pipeline
Manager Dan Wilson commented on the strength of the organization’s depth, saying,
“They talk about our depth in the minor leagues, and you’re getting a chance to see it here. Just the great (at-bats), and that was a good one for Farmelo, being able to drive the ball hard in that situation.”
Montes also made an impression with his timely single during Friday’s 7-4 victory over the Padres. Facing Mason Miller, Montes battled through a full count with fastballs exceeding 101 mph, then capitalized on a slider mistake to deliver a bloop hit to right field. Both Montes and Farmelo are highly regarded prospects, ranked No. 43 and No. 78 by MLB Pipeline, respectively. While Montes could make his major league debut this season, Farmelo is projected to be ready around 2028, having missed significant time due to injuries in recent years.
said Wilson, per Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.
Growing Fan Enthusiasm Highlights Mariners’ Positive Momentum
Following a near run to the World Series in 2025, enthusiasm for the Mariners is noticeably building among fans this spring. Record numbers attended the team’s early activities, signaling a resurgence of Mariners fever in Seattle. Adam Jude from The Seattle Times reported that 1,800 fans were present just to watch drills on a Thursday, and nearly 1,500 more arrived for pre-game workouts before their Cactus League opener, which itself drew an official crowd of 9,956—the largest ever for a Mariners spring opener at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Fans continued showing their support for budding stars, with a large crowd attending Kade Anderson’s live batting practice. When Anderson finished, he was met by loud applause, reflecting growing excitement around emerging talent within the organization.
This rising tide of Mariners enthusiasm signals a meaningful shift for the franchise, with supporters eager to see how fresh faces and promising prospects will influence the 2026 campaign and beyond.
IT'S GRAND SALAMI TIME 🥪 pic.twitter.com/qldl0ksVtb
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) February 21, 2026
Here was #Mariners manager Dan Wilson talking about getting Rob Refsnyder and Brendan Donovan into games in the next few days.#TridentsUp #RefuseToLose pic.twitter.com/YK2t5ybrco
— Brady Farkas (@RefuseToLosePod) February 22, 2026
Monday matinee. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/0ULC3NqiZU
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) February 23, 2026
MLB's No. 78 prospect Jonny Farmelo drives in Felnin Celestin on a 106 mph double 🔱@Mariners | @MsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/ohRDxcglos
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 23, 2026
Lazaro Montes had one hell of an AB against Mason Miller pic.twitter.com/jdPphD6jrW
— Peyton | BigLeagueAnalysis (@bsblwithpeyton) February 21, 2026
