Mariners’ Dipoto Confident in Rivas, Hancock as Replacements

The Seattle Mariners opened the 2026 season without two familiar faces. Team president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto expressed confidence in the club’s short-term plans.

Crawford sidelined; Rivas earns opening role

Shortstop J.P. Crawford was slowed in spring training by right shoulder inflammation. The injury left him unavailable for opening day.

Twenty-eight-year-old Leo Rivas will start in Crawford’s place. Rivas is a switch-hitter who has appeared in 91 major league games over the past two seasons. He delivered several key moments during 2025 and made the opening day roster for the first time.

General manager Justin Hollander and Dipoto said Crawford’s absence should be brief. Both estimated he could be activated in about a week.

Roster flexibility and short-term planning

Rivas and Cole Young provide infield depth. Young remains listed as a shortstop by trade.

Dipoto said the expected short layoff shaped roster construction. The Mariners opted for internal flexibility over larger roster moves.

Miller out; Emerson Hancock steps into rotation

Starting pitcher Bryce Miller was placed on the injured list with oblique inflammation. He remained at the spring training complex in Arizona for treatment.

Emerson Hancock will take Miller’s rotation spot for now. Hancock, 26, has 31 starts and 37 total big-league appearances since 2023.

Dipoto praised Hancock’s recent work. He noted a stronger breaking pitch and added velocity during a productive spring.

Timeline for returns and role expectations

Hancock is expected to make several starts while Miller recovers. The club projects Miller will need about a month to ramp back up after his shutdown.

Hancock had been viewed as Seattle’s sixth option in a five-man rotation. His spring performance earned the team’s trust for immediate duty.

Mariners’ Dipoto Confident in Rivas, Hancock as Replacements emerged as a clear theme from his remarks. Dipoto made the comments Thursday while speaking at T-Mobile Park on Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy.