Dunn is much more likely to open the 2020 regular season in the starting rotation now that expanded rosters are official, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
General manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed in a Zoom call with reporters Wednesday that the Mariners were slated to start the campaign with a six-man starting rotation. Johns explains it's highly likely that extra spot goes to Dunn, who appeared to just be on the outside looking in with respect to a starter's role when spring training was suspended. The 24-year-old right-hander put together a solid Cactus League stint (2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP across 6.2 innings) and has been throwing regularly while play has been paused, and Dipoto estimated Wednesday that at present, Dunn and the rest of the team's hurlers are approximately where they'd be after an initial two-inning outing in spring training with respect to their arms.