The Seattle Mariners announced on May 9 that starting pitcher Bryce Miller will come off the injured list and make his season debut Wednesday in Houston, according to manager Dan Wilson. The announcement was made before the Mariners’ 6-1 loss at Rate Field.
Miller’s return addresses a key question for the team as it navigates a stretch of 13 games without an off-day. To manage player workload, Seattle will use a six-man pitching rotation during this period. Logan Gilbert is scheduled to start Sunday against the White Sox, followed by George Kirby and Bryan Woo in Houston on Monday and Tuesday. Miller will pitch Wednesday, with Luis Castillo taking the mound Thursday and Emerson Hancock starting Friday against San Diego.
Wilson said that while all pitchers would get an extra day of rest under this system, its continuation beyond the current stretch is uncertain. “Yes, everyone gets an extra day … but we will kind of recalibrate once we get back,” Wilson said.
Hancock has posted a 3.21 earned run average in eight starts filling in for Miller, while Castillo has struggled early this season despite being one of the team’s most experienced starters. On Saturday night against the White Sox, Castillo allowed four runs over four innings on two home runs and needed 84 pitches to record 12 outs—his third outing this year with four or fewer innings pitched out of eight starts.
Reflecting on Castillo’s performance, Wilson said: “I thought his last outing [against Kansas City] was vintage Luis… I thought there were flashes of it again tonight, but it was just a situation where they were able to get some pitches on him. The velo was there tonight, I thought the breaking ball was where it had been, they were just able to put some good at-bats on him and get deep.” Castillo responded through interpreter Manny Acta: “I’ve just got to keep my head up. It’s not how you start, it’s how you end.”
With six healthy starters available—including Miller who had a strong postseason and recorded a 2.94 ERA across 31 starts in 2024—the Mariners face decisions about their long-term rotation structure after this temporary plan ends. Alternatives such as piggybacking Miller and Castillo have been considered; however both are expected to remain stretched out as starters for now.
The current arrangement leaves Seattle short-handed in its bullpen—a challenge given recent injuries among relief pitchers Matt Brash (right lat inflammation) and Gabe Speier (left shoulder inflammation), alongside closer Andrés Muñoz working through struggles.
As soon as their current schedule eases or another injury occurs among starters, further changes may be made regarding pitcher roles within the club.
