On Thursday night, the Seattle Mariners will play their first game of the 2026 regular season when they host the Cleveland Guardians in Washington.
The Mariners have made a lot of roster moves to get ready for Opening Day.
Mariners Release 7-Year Player
GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO – OCTOBER 19: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners is interviewed before game six of the American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on October 19, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
On Wednesday, Seattle released Andrew Knizner.
He is coming off a season where he appeared in 33 games for the San Francisco Giants.
Daniel Kramer of MLB.com wrote: “A few notes on the Mariners’ Opening Day roster…
• J.P. Crawford placed on IL (right shoulder inflammation) • Miles Mastrobuoni placed on IL (right calf strain) • Bryce Miller placed on IL (left oblique strain) • Andrew Knizner cleared waivers and elected free agency”
GettySAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 24: Andrew Knizner #21 of the San Francisco Giants hits a sacrifice fly that scored a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth inning at Oracle Park on September 24, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Knizner’s MLB Career
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – JULY 03: Robbie Ray #38 and Andrew Knizner #21 of the San Francisco Giants celebrate a 7-2 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 03, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Knizner was picked in the seventh round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
He spent the first five years of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before stints with the Giants and Rangers.
During the 2022 season, Knizner appeared in a career-high 96 games for the Cardinals.
GettyST LOUIS, MISSOURI – JULY 27: Andrew Knizner #7 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates his solo home run with bench coach Joe McEwing #77 against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Busch Stadium on July 27, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
The 31-year-old has been in the MLB for seven seasons.
Over 323 games, he is batting .211 with 19 home runs, 90 RBI’s and 101 runs.
Jon Heyman of New York Post Sports wrote (on November 21, 2025): “Giants will DFA C Andrew Knizner. Above-average framer and defense, hit .306 in second half with 137 wRC+, and season K rate of 11.4% was by far best of his career.”
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 21: Andrew Knizner #12 of the Texas Rangers hits a three run home run during the fourth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on April 21, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Seattle Right Now
GettySEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 04: Manager Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners looks on prior to game one of the Division Series against the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park on October 04, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Mariners are coming off a fantastic season where they went all the way to the ALCS before losing to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Following the Guardians, the Mariners will remain at home to host Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees for a series that starts on March 30.
Seattle Mariners Release 7-Year MLB Player Before Guardians Game