Dunn threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session against Dee Gordon and other teammates during Saturday's summer camp session and was particularly impressive with his breaking pitch, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports. "It's a big year for Justin," said manager Scott Servais. "I like where he is at; he knows what is ahead of him. I think the fact that we are going to go with a six-man rotation gives him an opportunity to make 10 starts."
The young right-hander, who's thought to have a chance to open the 2020 season at the back end of the starting rotation, has jumped right into action at the Mariners' summer camp at T-Mobile Park. While Dunn's options for throwing and working out were limited early during the shutdown, he and several teammates eventually gained regular access to an indoor facility in the Arizona area. Dunn subsequently was one of the first arrivals when the Mariners reopened their spring training facility in Peoria, and the regular routine he was able to maintain is now paying off. "I'm definitely ready to go," Dunn said. "I understand there is still some room to go with building up and really locking in the pitches and fine tuning and getting it into game shape, but I definitely feel strong. I feel I haven't really regressed since spring training, which I am really happy about."