Mariners Roster Moves: Garver, Arroyo, Miller Updates

The Seattle Mariners are juggling a tricky mix of catching depth, emerging prospects, and some key injuries as they sketch out their 2026 roster. After turning down Mitch Garver’s $12 million mutual option, Seattle brought him back on a minor-league deal—thanks in large part to Cal Raleigh’s quick pitch to reconnect.

With Cal Raleigh likely to see plenty of time at designated hitter, Garver and Andrew Knizner give the team veteran backup options. The front office also keeps tabs on infield prospect Michael Arroyo and a healthy Bryce Miller to help both the lineup and the rotation.

Free-agent reunion and catching depth

The Garver reunion really comes down to keeping solid catching depth without tying up too much money. Garver chose a $1 million buyout instead of the $12 million mutual option, then circled back to Seattle after Raleigh reached out. It’s a low-risk move to keep a steady veteran who can share time with Cal Raleigh and maybe let Raleigh rest his legs a bit more by moving to DH now and then.

Seattle already signed Andrew Knizner to a one-year, $1 million deal, so there’s a chance all three veterans could land on the 26-man roster. More likely, Raleigh will see most of the action, with Garver and Knizner splitting backup duties, and Raleigh sliding into the DH spot when he needs a breather from catching.

This approach gives Seattle the flexibility to mix and match its catchers. Over a long season, having fresh legs and options is a big deal.

Roster implications and depth chart

• Seattle could keep Garver and Knizner both as backups, but Raleigh’s probably the regular, with one main backup behind him.
• Using Raleigh as DH is a handy way to keep his bat in the lineup without overworking him behind the plate.
• If Knizner gets hot or injuries pop up, Garver’s around to step in and keep things steady.
• Michael Arroyo’s name keeps popping up, and if he can turn his WBC experience into real defensive versatility, he could fit a bunch of roles in the future.

Prospect watch: Michael Arroyo’s versatility

Infield prospect Michael Arroyo has a patient approach at the plate and has started turning heads—Baseball Prospectus 36th, Keith Law 49th, ESPN 62nd, MLB Pipeline 67th. After hitting .255/.376/.341 in Double-A over 250 plate appearances in 2025, Arroyo looks like a potential everyday second baseman, maybe more if his bat keeps improving or injuries open doors.

He just got back from representing Colombia in the World Baseball Classic. Scouts are curious if he can handle third base or left field—spots he hasn’t really played in pro ball. Arroyo gets on base a lot and doesn’t chase much, but he’s only 21, so it’s tough to see him cracking the big-league roster before 2027.

Evaluating Arroyo’s timeline and role

• If Arroyo polishes his glove at third and maybe the outfield, he could settle into a utility role long-term.
• For now, his best shot at an early call-up probably comes if his bat takes off or the team needs a fill-in due to injuries at second, third, or in the corners.

Pitching update: Bryce Miller’s comeback

Bryce Miller is under the microscope as he works his way back from a rough 2025. Bone spurs held him to just 18 starts and 90 1/3 innings, but he skipped surgery and went with a rehab plan—cortisone, PRP, Synvisc, the works—hoping to get back his old velocity and command.

Word is Miller’s added about 15 pounds of muscle and touched 98 mph in live BP. The Mariners are hoping he can look like his 2024 self again, when he spun a 2.94 ERA over 180 1/3 innings. If he does, that’s a huge boost for a rotation that’s aiming to stay deep and competitive all spring.

What Miller’s return could mean for Seattle’s rotation in 2026

• If Miller stays healthy, he could land in the upper half of Seattle’s rotation. That’s a reliable arm who can chew through innings, which is pretty valuable when the schedule gets packed.
• With Miller back, the team might not have to lean so hard on depth arms. That opens up more ways to build the bullpen and adjust daily lineups, especially with Raleigh and Arroyo’s defensive roles in mind.

The Mariners are mixing veteran experience with younger prospects and hoping for growth. If Garver sticks around as a solid backup and Arroyo’s versatility actually shows up at the big-league level, things start to look interesting.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners Notes: Garver, Arroyo, Miller