PEORIA, Ariz. — You see it every day in spring training, so often it barely registers — a pitcher throwing a live bullpen session on a back field. It’s as routine as spring training gets.
But Sam Carlson’s live ‘pen on Friday — a mere 20 pitches, taking up all of five minutes as he faced minor league hitters — may have been the most emotional event of the entire spring for the Mariners.
You could see it written all over the huge grin on Carlson’s face when he finished, and the heartfelt hugs he exchanged with teammates, coaches and training staff that flooded Field 3 to watch Carlson.