Rowdy Tellez

A heck of a debut for Severino. The 31-year-old did walk four, but he gave up just three hits and kept the Mariner offense for every really mounting a challenge. His final pitch was a perfectly-located offering to strike out Rowdy Tellez on the outside corner with runners on second and third. He generated 12 swing-and-miss, and his fastball was routinely in the mid-to-high 90s. Severino will get a chance to show off his stuff against the Cubs next week.

The 30-year-old non-roster invitee earned his way onto the Opening Day roster with a strong showing in Cactus League play and now it appears as though he may end up having a very real role against right-handed pitching. We have seen him get hot and hit home runs in bunches before, so he's a player that those in deep leagues should at least keep an eye on.

The Mariners announced that they have selected the contract of first baseman Rowdy Tellez. The roster already had a couple of vacancies from losing Seth Martinez off waivers and releasing Mitch Haniger. Their 40-man count goes from 38 to 39 with the Tellez move. More to come.

Tellez was a non-roster invitee to spring training but claimed a spot on Seattle's season-opening roster by hitting .298/.320/.574 with three home runs in 50 plate appearances. Tellez hit just .243/.299/.392 in 421 plate appearances for the Pirates in 2024, but he did post an eight percent barrel rate and just a nine percent swinging strike rate, while lowering his overall strikeout rate. His quality of contact remains strong, and he could start the season as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching with Mitch Garver fulfilling that role against lefties and also getting at-bats as the backup catcher.

Tellez was a non-roster invitee to spring training but claimed a spot on the roster by hitting .298/.320/.574 with three home runs in 50 plate appearances. Tellez hit just .243/.299/.392 in 421 plate appearances for the Pirates in 2024, but he did post an eight percent barrel rate and just a nine percent swinging strike rate, while lowering his overall strikeout rate. His quality of contact remains strong, and he could start the season as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching with Mitch Garver fulfilling that role against lefties and also getting at-bats as the backup catcher.