Kyle Lewis Embraces The Little Victories

SEATTLE—The top prospect in the organization still has roughly five months remaining in a year-long rehabilitation from a catastrophic right knee injury.

If that sounds depressing amid the buoyant atmosphere that accompanies the start of spring training, know that 21-year-old outfielder Kyle Lewis completely understands.

He just refuses to share the gloom.

“It’s not tough for me,” said Lewis, a first-round pick from Mercer last June who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament along with meniscus tears just 30 games into his pro career at short-season Everett.

“From the outside looking in, it is. But for me, I try to go day by day. Set little goals, little challenges, for myself. Maybe do a little more weight each day. Do it a little faster. Stuff like that. For me, I just check those as victories every day.”

Current projections target a mid-July return.

“If you ask him, he probably thinks he’s well ahead of schedule,” farm director Andy McKay said. “He looks great. His mindset is tremendous. He’s in good spirits.”

McKay said Lewis would likely join a full-season club when cleared to play, which probably means an assignment to low Class A Clinton in the Midwest League. For now, though, he grinds through rehab while watching others prepare for the season.

“It’s part of life,” Lewis said. “Everybody’s had to watch at some point. I try not to (get down). That wouldn’t do me any good. I try to be the best version of myself every day. The best version of myself wouldn’t be all sad about anything.”

Lewis moved last year to Arizona in order to aid his rehab regimen by being near the Mariners’ training staff at the club’s year-round complex in Peoria. He quickly discovered another benefit.

“It’s the best weather I’ve ever seen,” he said. “You wake up, and it’s sunny every day. If you aren’t happy in Arizona, then you just aren’t a happy person. It’s the nicest place I’ve ever seen.”

MARINADE

• The Feb. 8 trade that sent catcher Jesus Sucre to the Rays provides an opportunity for Marcus Littlewood or Tyler Marlette to win a job at Triple-A Tacoma alongside veteran Tuffy Gosewisch.

• Righthanded reliever Thyago Vieira and his triple-digits fastball will likely open the season at Double-A Arkansas. But the Mariners promoted two power relievers directly to the majors last season from Double-A: Edwin Diaz and Dan Altavilla.

— Bob Dutton covers the Mariners for the Tacoma News Tribune