Mariners, Iwakuma start spring training early

Pitchers and catchers have officially reported. So has a budding international sensation.

The Seattle Mariners on Sunday kicked off spring training a week earlier than most teams, as the club prepares for an early season-opener on March 28 in Japan.

Japanese pitcher Hishashi Iwakuma might need the extra time to get used to the sudden crush of attention he received.

American and Japanese fans reportedly flocked to Iwakuma, who signed with the Mariners in the offseason.

Iwakuma, who is expected to be the Mariners' No. 3 starter, said the attention was unlike any he had received while pitching in Japan.

"This is the first time I've seen that many people around me wanting to talk and get my autograph," Iwakuma said through a translator, according to The Seattle Times. "I'll try to do it as much as I can. As long as I have time, though."

Iwakuma did not find the first day of workouts as daunting. After running and defensive drills, the righty said he found the camp less challenging than his usual first day in Japan.

"I felt like it was pretty easy," he said, according to the Times. "Because we spent two hours just for the warmup in Japan. And we do a lot of stuff, just with fundamentals. I felt this was really good for my first day as a major leaguer."

Iwakuma had been eager to become a major leaguer last year, but the anticipation was not enough to bridge a gap between him and the Oakland A's. Oakland had won the negotiating rights with the highest posting fee paid to his Japanese team, but the player and team could not agree on contract terms.

So, instead he will be with the Mariners a season later as the team plays the A's in Japan on opening day.

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