Randy Arozarena is set to make a bit of history for the Seattle Mariners as he breaks an unusual streak on opening day. Slotted in as the starting left fielder and batting fifth against the Cleveland Guardians at T-Mobile Park, Arozarena becomes the first Mariner to start consecutive opening days in left field in over a decade. Acquired in a July 2024 trade, this marks only his second opening day with the team.
The last Mariner to hold this back-to-back honor was Dustin Ackley, who started in left field for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. Since then, the Mariners have seen a revolving door in that position. Here's a quick rundown of the starting left fielders since Ackley's 2015 appearance:
- 2015: Dustin Ackley
- 2016: Nori Aoki
- 2017: Jarrod Dyson
- 2018: Ichiro Suzuki
- 2019: Domingo Santana
- 2020: José Marmolejos
- 2021: Jake Fraley
- 2022: Jesse Winker
- 2023: Jarred Kelenic
- 2024: Dominic Canzone
- 2025: Randy Arozarena
- 2026: Randy Arozarena
While the Mariners' streak of 11 different opening day left fielders is notable, it’s not the longest streak broken this season. The San Francisco Giants ended their record-tying run of 19 different opening day left fielders over 19 seasons when Heliot Ramos started for the second consecutive year.
This streak began after Barry Bonds’ final season in 2007 and tied a record set by the St. Louis Browns/Baltimore Orioles from 1937-55.
Meanwhile, the Mariners’ opponent, the Cleveland Guardians, has its own streak to boast about. Rookie Chase DeLauter will start in right field, marking the 15th different opening day starter in right field over 15 seasons for Cleveland.
This gives them the longest active streak in baseball. Among those who have started for the Guardians is Mariners’ first baseman Josh Naylor, who took the spot in 2021.
Catch the Mariners as they take on the Guardians at 7:10 p.m. Radio coverage is available on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app, with the pregame show starting at 6 p.m.