How Mariners SP Bryce Miller’s 11-K Thursday Start Showcases Return from Injury
The Seattle Mariners had a long 12-inning win on Thursday punctuated by struggles, nail-biting, and late heroics from top prospect Harry Ford, but lost in the pomp and circumstance was a solid outing from a Bryce Miller who not long ago was stuck on the injured list.
Miller’s Injury, Recovery
It has been a season full of challenges for a pitcher coming off what was in many ways a breakout 2024. In May 2025, it was first reported that Bryce Miller was dealing with right elbow inflammation, which resulted in his placement on the fifteen-day injured list. Fast forward about a couple of weeks to early June 2025, and the inflammation sent him back to the IL. It was a difficult blow to a Mariner rotation that had depended heavily on Miller’s magic in 2024.
By August, Miller was on a rehab stint in Triple-A Tacoma, sometimes going into the later innings of games. The inflammation had all but healed, allowing him to get solid pitch counts and get through his rehab without any major issues.
Prior to his lengthy IL stint, Miller had accrued a 2-5 record and 5.73 ERA over 48 ⅔ innings, striking out 39 batters and walking 23 while giving up five home runs. His 1.70 strikeout-to-walk ratio had significantly declined from 3.80 in 2024, but he was giving up home runs less frequently than he had in 2024.
Before his outing on Thursday, Miller had started four games since his return from the IL, compiling a 2-0 record with a 5.06 ERA in 21 ⅓ innings pitched. He had improved his command from earlier in the season, striking out 14 batters and walking six (a 2.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio), but he had given up seven home runs in his four outings, nearly three per nine innings.
Seattle was looking for some improvement on Thursday, and despite some continued issues, they got it.
Thursday’s 11-Strikeout Night
There was certainly a big bright spot for Miller, who pitched a total of 5 ⅔ innings, giving up four earned runs while striking out 11 batters and walking none. Beyond the top-line stats, he showcased an increase in velocity in the first couple innings that served as a good reminder of the strength of his recovery. The main issue was the home run ball once more, as Miller gave up two blasts on pitches right over the heart of the plate.
Although this game by Miller wasn’t flawless, it was certainly a good showing from him. His 11 strikeouts was a career-high, beating out a previous best of 10 that he had reached four times in his career, and the complete lack of walks is a very positive sign about his control. Although he did allow two home runs—in line with his recent struggles with the longball—he didn’t allow the Angels to take the lead.
With 15 games remaining in the regular season, the Mariners will be looking for Miller to augment Thursday’s reduction in walks with a complementary reduction in home runs allowed. Thursday’s outing offered some good promise, but the M’s will need continued improvement going into the final weeks.
