SEATTLE — Ever since the Seattle Mariners selected switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft, there’s been question over what his development would look like.

The Mariners are one of the best teams in the league when it comes to developing starting pitchers. Four-of-five members of the major league rotation were drafted by the organization. Three of those four — Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert and George Kirby — have made the All-Star Game in the last three seasons.

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However, as the first legitimate switch-pitching prospect in years, there was no precedent to follow with Cijntje’s development.

Cijntje began 2025 with the High-A Everett AquaSox. In the first two months of the season, Seattle opted to have Cijntje start games primarily right-handed with a left-handed relief outing in-between.

Cijntje and the Mariners ultimately abandoned that approach and he went through the rest of the year exclusively as a starter. He was promoted to the Double-A Arkansas Travelers on Aug. 4. He finished the season with a 3.99 ERA and struck out 120 batters in 108.1 innings pitched across 26 appearances (23 starts).

In his first year in pro ball, it became clear that Cijntje’s stuff from his right-handed side was better and more-developed than his left.

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Cijntje received a non-roster invite to spring training but was listed as a right-handed pitcher.

Cijntje spoke the to the media during Day 1 of FanFest on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle and said he would continue to work from both sides.

On Day 2 of FanFest Sunday, Seattle general manager Justin Hollander clarified what that “work” actually entails.

“The two-day-a-week thing — going to throw out of the bullpen one day — was really hard on him,” Hollander said. ” … I think for this year, and we put it on once we announced the (non-roster invitees), he’s going to continue to throw bullpens with both hands. He’s going to pitch right-handed in games. That’s how we’re going to start this year. We think that’s his highest ceiling, is as a right-handed starter.”

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Cijntje’s 2026 could be an eventful one.

Right-handed starting pitcher Logan Evans will miss all of 2026 after undergoing elbow surgery. Evans made 15 starts in 2025 due to injuries suffered by Gilbert, Kirby and Bryce Miller.

If the Mariners need another arm, Cijntje could be called upon.

“I’d say it’s probably unlikely (he’s in the majors) coming out of camp,” Hollander said. “But this year, certainly. I’ve always thought once you’re in Double-A, you’re kind of — (Scott Hunter) used to say — on the depth chart. You’re just gonna start choosing the best players once you get to Double-A. There’s just a big difference between (High-A Everett) and (Double-A Arkansas). If you’re handling your business in Arkansas — I think we’ve seen that with our pitchers in the past — high-level prospects, starting pitchers. We don’t really feel like you need to pit stop in the (Pacific Coast League) and go experience altitude for 2-3 months.”

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