Roster Adjustments Ahead of Opening Day
Seattle’s MLB team is finalizing its roster as preparations for the new season continue. Recent moves include sending outfielder Dominic Canzone and corner infielder Austin Shenton to Triple-A, while right-handed pitchers Logan Evans and Shintaro Fujinami were moved to the minor league camp. These decisions bring the spring training roster to 39 players as the team works toward its 26-man roster for the season.
Opportunities and Challenges for Young Players
Both Canzone and Shenton were in contention for a spot on the major league roster. Canzone, acquired in a trade involving a former closer to the Arizona team, played 67 games with the team in 2024, posting a .196 batting average along with eight home runs and 17 RBIs. In spring training, he showed a .209 average in his limited appearances. Shenton, a fifth-round pick in 2019 who rejoined the organization following a trade earlier, managed a .265 average with nine hits in 34 spring games, contributing four runs and two RBIs.
Depth and Roster Competition
The team’s strategy is to rely on a consistent starting outfield led by Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez, and Victor Robles. With additional players like Luke Raley providing versatility in the outfield and utility player Dylan Moore available for extra depth, the competition for spots remains intense. Although Shenton had an edge due to his flexibility in playing both first and third base, strong performances by other established players have made the final roster decision particularly challenging.
Looking Ahead
Both Canzone and Shenton remain on the 40-man roster, leaving open the possibility of future contributions during the season. The ongoing adjustments underscore the team’s commitment to balancing seasoned talent with emerging prospects as they prepare for opening day.