Munenori

Kawasaki

The 30-year-old has hit safely in seven straight games. However, his upside is severely limited, so take his quick start with a grain of salt at this stage.

He added a run and an RBI, giving him five and nine, respectively. Lacking power, he has nonetheless earned the right to become part of the Opening Day roster conversation, as he is now batting .367 through 11 games.

Dustin Ackley will serve as the Mariners’ designated hitter against the Rangers and Munenori Kawasaki will play second base. Yu Darvish is making his debut for Texas.

He should be back to normal within the next day or two. Dustin Ackley will serve as the Mariners’ designated hitter against the Rangers and Munenori Kawasaki will play second base.

Kawasaki was signed to a minor league contract this winter and was able to crack the Mariners’ Opening Day roster. But it’s probably not meant to last. The 30-year-old had a weak .636 OPS last season in Japan and the M’s already have ample glove-first types.

Kawasaki earned a spot on the Mariners’ bench after hitting .387 (12-for-31) with 10 RBI and two stolen bases this spring. The 30-year-old had a .636 OPS last season in Japan and is more known for his glove than the bat, so he shouldn’t be on your fantasy radar.

Ryan missed the final few weeks of last season and time this spring with a nerve issue, but Mariners manager Eric Wedge doesn’t believe this recent stiffness is related. Munenori Kawasaki will take his place in the lineup, making his major league debut.

Munenori Kawasaki is playing second base. Ackley, 24, is batting .239/.286/.348 with one home run, one steal and four RBI in 49 plate appearances this season. We wouldn’t expect the first base thing to become common.

Kawasaki’s interest in Seattle is due to the presence of fellow countryman and former World Baseball Classic teammate Ichiro Suzuki. The light-hitting shortstop batted .267 last season for Japan’s Softbank Hawks, but cleared the .300 plateau in three of his previous four seasons.

At a news conference last month, Kawasaki said the only MLB team he wanted to play for was the Mariners. He’ll get his wish, but is no lock to make the Opening Day roster. The light-hitting shortstop batted .267 last season for Japan’s Softbank Hawks (with one homer and a .647 OPS in 603 at-bats), but cleared the .300 plateau in three of his previous four seasons. Kawasaki, 30, has a ceiling of a utility player.