Mariners’ Randy Arozarena issues statement after WBC drama with Cal Raleigh

PEORIA, Ariz. — Randy Arozarena arrived to the Mariners’ spring training complex early Saturday morning, ready to return to work.

With the Mariners having a later “show and go” start to their morning following a night game, the clubhouse was largely empty as he unpacked his gear. As teammates rolled in, he offered hugs and fist bumps and, yes, even handshakes to them.

There were no signs of animosity and no discussions of the controversy created with teammate Cal Raleigh during the World Baseball Classic.

Similar to his decision not to speak to media members in Houston following his critical comments about Raleigh after a heated World Baseball Classic pool-play game, Arozarena declined interview requests from local media members, knowing that he’d be asked about the situation with Raleigh. He has no interest in answering questions about it.

Instead, he released the following statement through the team:

“We didn’t get the results we wanted with Team Mexico, but I’m glad to be back in camp with my teammates. The WBC is behind us now, and I don’t want anything to take away from the Mariners. I’m focused on the season and helping this team compete for a World Series.”

The brevity and lack of an apology in the statement wasn’t surprising. Arozarena isn’t verbose.

It’s unclear whether Arozarena believes he did anything wrong in harshly criticizing Raleigh for not shaking his hand prior to the first at-bat of the game. Multiple sources have said Raleigh told Arozarena not to try and shake his hand before the at-bat because it was against a philosophy that Team USA was trying to adhere to for the WBC.

Trying to bring a bit of humor to the situation, Josh Naylor texted Raleigh that he was going to try and shake his hand before his first at-bat during the WBC quarterfinal matchup Friday night between Canada and the United States. Raleigh replied: “Please don’t.” But Naylor did it anyway, holding his hand up for a moment. Raleigh followed the policy and Naylor dug into the box. He later joked about it with reporters.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson, who is trying hard to not allow this story to linger, saw the video of Naylor’s postgame interview.

Did he expect Naylor to do something like that?

“Of course,” Wilson said with a smile. “Teammates.”

Wilson talked with Arozarena briefly after he arrived Saturday.

“It’s good to see him,” Wilson said. “It’s good having him back and he’s getting right to work and getting in the cage.”

While Wilson has talked with Arozarena multiple times, he was asked if there should be some public clarification or comments.

“Our goal here is to win a World Series, and putting that behind us is a big part of that goal,” Wilson said. “And I think that’s what we’re looking to do. And so I think our focus now really becomes March 26 and getting started on the season. And that’s how we’re looking at it.”

Roster moves

The Mariners made more roster moves Saturday morning, trimming their spring-training roster down to 48 players in camp.

The moves:

Optioned to Class AAA Tacoma

• LHP Robinson Ortiz

Re-assigned to minor league camp

• LHP Kade Anderson
• RHP Randy Dobnak
• C Brian O’Keefe
• INF Will Wilson
• INF Patrick Wisdom
• RHP Guillo Zuñiga

Notes: Anderson, the Mariners top pitching prospect, showed well this spring. He impressed the front office and MLB coaching staff with his maturity and poise, while also displaying the stuff to get MLB hitters out. He is expected to start the season with High-A Everett with a promotion to Class AA Arkansas to follow quickly.