Mariners To Add Mitch Garver To Opening Day Roster

The Mariners are adding Mitch Garver to their Opening Day roster as their backup catcher, according to a report from Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. That seemingly leaves catcher Andrew Knizner without a spot on the club’s roster headed into the season. He’s on a $1MM contract for 2026 and cannot be optioned to the minors, so he’ll need to be traded or designated for assignment sometime before Opening Day if he isn’t making the team.

Garver, 35, is a veteran of nine MLB seasons and has spent the past two years in Seattle. The former Silver Slugger has spent much of his career on the injured list, but in his younger years often showed flashes of elite power when healthy coupled with a hefty…