Major Setback: Mariners Confirm Devastating Injury Setback Regarding Two Experienced Fan-Favorite Stars

Despite it being very early in the MLB season, there’s already some growing concern among Seattle Mariners fans due to the team’s underwhelming 3–4 record through their first seven games. Although no one is hitting the panic button yet, the fanbase can’t ignore that the team’s offense seems to have regressed to its struggles from last year—before Dan Wilson took over as manager. At the same time, the once-dominant pitching staff that helped define the Mariners’ 2024 campaign hasn’t yet returned to form.

One of the most glaring weak points so far has been the bullpen. As of Thursday’s games, Seattle’s relievers ranked a middling 15th in ERA, a low 22nd in WHIP, and 25th in opponents’ batting average. Those numbers are a far cry from the elite level the pen played at last season. However, there’s a silver lining: a couple of key arms are inching closer to returning, and their presence could provide the much-needed boost this bullpen needs.

Matt Brash (RHP)
Injury: Recovering from Tommy John surgery

Brash’s name has been brought up frequently when discussing the Mariners’ bullpen woes—and for good reason. His slider is arguably the best pitch on the entire staff, and his absence was clearly felt last season. Thankfully, there’s some exciting news: Brash is set to travel with the team to San Francisco on Thursday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in front of the coaching staff over the weekend.

This marks another step forward in his recovery, after already making a brief appearance during spring training. In the Mariners’ final Cactus League game against the Padres, Brash threw 12 pitches and hit 98.5 mph on the radar gun, as reported by Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. That outing gave fans hope, and the team still expects him to return to MLB action by late April, which could be a major lift for the Mariners’ bullpen.

Troy Taylor (RHP)
Injury: Right lat strain

Meanwhile, fellow right-hander Troy Taylor is even closer to returning. Taylor began his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Seattle’s Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers. According to Mariners Minors on X, he threw 19 pitches (13 for strikes), and his fastball touched 99 mph. That said, there were some signs of rust—he allowed four hits and two runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

Taylor originally suffered the lat injury during his offseason workouts, and while it was a setback, the Mariners’ staff was relieved it wasn’t something more serious. In his rookie MLB season last year, Taylor showed promise, pitching 19.1 innings across 21 appearances. During that time, he posted a solid 3.72 ERA, a 1.138 WHIP, and racked up 25 strikeouts.

Both Brash and Taylor could play critical roles in stabilizing Seattle’s bullpen as the season progresses. Their return not only promises increased velocity and command but also adds depth to a unit currently searching for consistency.