Seattle Mariners

The Mariners were busy upgrading their roster in the offseason. But one of their top acquisitions might miss the season’s opening two months.

Left-hander Drew Smyly is out because of a strained left elbow suffered while pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

“Drew Smyly was and is important to our season,” general manager Jerry Dipoto said.

With Smyly sidelined, righthander Felix Hernandez needs to rebound and lefty James Pax

ton has to prove last year was no fluke. Left-hander Ariel Miran

da was added to the rotation to fill the void left by Smyly.

The planned platoon at first base didn’t materialize — Daniel

Vogelbach was sent to Class AAA in favor of Danny Valencia. Neither player hit much during the spring, but the Mariners decided Vogelbach would be better served playing daily in the minors.

Few Seattle position players had a better spring than Mitch

Haniger, which is why he won the job in right field. Haniger is eager to prove he has improved after hitting .229 in 109 at-bats during his rookie season.