SEATTLE -- On the heels of an off-day on Monday, and with the Mariners coasting into first place over the weekend, here’s a recap of where things stand on their injury front. What’s the longer-term status of Logan Gilbert (right elbow flexor strain)? The 2024 All-Star called the prognosis of his MRI exam “relatively” good news, which, all things considered, represented a far more promising tone than when he spoke on Friday shortly after suffering the injury. While any arm injury for a pitcher is concerning, the Mariners appear to have avoided something catastrophic. However, they aren’t out of the woods yet on Gilbert, who will be shut down from throwing for two weeks then be reassessed. In speaking to Gilbert on Saturday, he wasn’t yet sure what rehab he’d be able to do until then with the rest of his body, saying that he still needed to map out a short-term plan with Seattle’s athletic training staff. But given that he’ll be shut down altogether, that he’ll need to nurse the injury then rebuild arm strength and go through a Minor League rehab assignment, his recovery will likely be over a month. |
How about George Kirby (right shoulder inflammation)? In speaking with him on Friday, just after he threw a bullpen session at T-Mobile Park, the 2023 All-Star indicated that his next step would be a live batting practice during Monday’s off-day -- which would represent the first time that he’ll face hitters since being shut down on March 7. Essentially, Kirby is going through what’s akin to a Spring Training ramp-up. If all goes well in the live BP, he could be cleared for a rehab assignment -- likely with Triple-A Tacoma or High-A Everett given their proximities to Seattle -- and make multiple starts, building on inning- and pitch-count in each. The Mariners almost certainly will want to see him reach the five-inning and/or 80-pitch threshold before being activated, so calendar mathematics suggest he’s probably still a month away. |
And Matt Brash (Tommy John surgery), who is on a rehab assignment? The Mariners want to work Brash into more “pivot” situations at Tacoma -- pockets where he’s entering in the middle of an inning and with runners on base -- so he gets more acclimated with those before returning. Part of that is because he hasn’t pitched in the Majors since September 2023, and he’ll see those spots upon returning. However, that won’t be right away. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander indicated this week that the club plans to ease Brash back once he’s activated from the IL -- specifically saying that Seattle’s “usage with Matt at the beginning of this active period of the 2025 season will not mirror his usage in the 2023 season, where he's pitching three out of four [days] or back-to-backs, right away,” adding that they “are going to have to ramp him up and be cognizant that he is coming back from Tommy John.” Hollander added that Brash is “nearing the final stretch of rehab, though, which is super exciting.” |
And Ben Williamson (back spasm), who was scratched on Sunday? The rookie third baseman isn’t expected to be sidelined long, but after waking up with some back tightness on Sunday morning -- and with that day’s game being in the afternoon after a night game -- they opted to rest him and piggyback it with Monday’s off-day, with the hope that he’ll be good to go on Tuesday vs. the Angels. Williamson has been everything that the Mariners could’ve hoped for so far, hitting .310 with just a 19% strikeout rate through his first 11 games -- while playing as-advertised defense at the hot corner. |
How have they been able to overcome these injuries? Put simply, just about everyone is hitting right now. The Mariners’ most glaring injuries have been to their pitching staff, but they’ve also had to withstand injuries to key position players like Victor Robles, their leadoff man who also plays a plus right field, and Ryan Bliss, who was off to a strong start after winning the second-base job out of spring. Williamson probably wouldn’t be here otherwise, but he’s made the most of his first look. Other guys who’ve also stepped up when given an opportunity have been infielders Miles Mastrobuoni and Leo Rivas, who have a combined .402 on-base percentage -- which is exactly what manager Dan Wilson needs from lower-lineup bats. And that’s not to mention Cal Raleigh and Jorge Polanco, who’ve played like All-Stars in the first month. |
|
|
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
|
|
POLANCO NAMED AL PLAYER OF THE WEEK |
Speaking of “Polo” -- he added some hardware to his résumé during the off-day after crushing the ball last week. Polanco went 8-for-17 with five runs scored, two doubles, four homers, eight RBIs and two walks in five games, good for a slash line of .471/.550/1.294 (1.844 OPS). Polanco joined Dylan Moore -- who won the honor last week -- making them the first Mariners to win back-to-back AL Player of the Week awards since Alex Rodriguez and Ken Griffey Jr. on June 27 and July 4, 1998. For the season, Polanco has been raking, with a gaudy .739 slugging percentage that leads 233 players with at least 70 plate appearances -- ahead of second-place Aaron Judge’s .717. |
|
|
Mariners Special Events Check out everything on deck at T-Mobile Park. Buy Tickets » • Mother’s Day Weekend Series -- May 9-11 • Yankees vs. Mariners -- May 12-14 • Randy Arozarena 3-Day Bobblehead Giveaway -- May 27-29 Mariners Value Games Get more baseball for your buck with Mariners Value Games. Tickets start at just $10 to select games all season long, including both matchups vs. the Angels on Tuesday and Wednesday. Buy tickets » Mariners Flex Memberships The season is in full swing, and it’s not too late to come on board as a Season Ticket Member. With a Flex Plan, you can choose your games and seats as you go while still enjoying perks like exclusive presales, year-round discounts, no ticket fees and more. Learn More » |
|
|
FORWARDED FROM A FRIEND? SUBSCRIBE NOW |
|
|
To subscribe to Mariners Beat, visit this page and mark "Mariners Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Mariners or that they're checked as your favorite team. |
|
|
|
