Mariners Postseason Hero Bryce Miller Once Again Dealing With Injury Bug

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller (50) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images [/caption]

The worst fear of any baseball team with high expectations is injuries. Especially when those injuries hit the starting pitching. The starting rotation is a delicate ecosystem on any team.

For the Seattle Mariners, Bryce Miller struggled through most of the 2025 season. It was a year of stops and starts, totaling in 18 starts, with just eight coming after June 6. Miller dealt with right elbow inflammation, including a bone spur that required time off. When he did pitch, he wasn’t his usual effective self, posting a 4-6 record with a 5.68 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and a 1.41 WHIP over 90 1/3 innings. His strikeout rate dropped significantly, and advanced metrics showed regression with higher hard-hit rates and an elevated FIP.

Simply put, there was a clear struggle with his health throughout last season that undoubtedly impacted his performance.

However, Miller got healthy just in time for the postseason. During the Mariners’ run through Game 7 of the ALCS, he tossed 14 1/3 innings over three starts, with a solid 2.51 ERA. He got the nod in Game 1 of the ALCS and after allowing a leadoff homer to George Springer in the first inning, he was nearly untouchable. He finished with six innings of just that one run, two hits and had given the Mariners a boost towards winning Game 1.

While he didn’t earn the win officially in Game 5 against Toronto, Miller tossed four innings with just one run while striking out four. The game was tied when Miller left in the fifth. But he had given the Mariners enough to propel them towards another win in the series.

Fans had hoped that would springboard Miller into a solid, healthy 2026. But thus far, he is off to a not-so-promising start on that front. He pitched 1 1/3 innings on February 26. With his fastball, he was topping out at 98.4 mph in that spring game against Cleveland. That is a number he rarely approached last year. The signs were encouraging.

Unfortunately, left oblique inflammation flared up after his outing that has sidelined him ever since. A bullpen session on Wednesday was cut short after some further discomfort in that area. The team fell short of calling it a “setback.” Still, this likely puts his Opening Day readiness in doubt. What’s an advantage is that he likely wouldn’t be slotted to make his first start until March 30, over two weeks from now.

Bryce Miller shut down his bullpen before it got started at full intent. The oblique did not feel right. "That's rehab," said Justin Hollander. Miller had been told to stop if he felt anything and he did. Hollander said Miller does not need to be shut down from throwing.— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) March 11, 2026

If the Mariners feel Miller needs to start the season on the injured list, it’s likely Emerson Hancock slotting in for the first few turns around the rotation. He's been the de facto No. 6, frequently filling in during injuries, and has been stretched out as a starter throughout this spring training specifically for this scenario. He leads the team in innings pitched this spring. It seems like he is setting himself up to begin the season on the roster or at least as the emergency “spot starter.”

For Miller, it’s an ominous sign after he dealt with ailments most of last season. He clearly has the talent. Now it’s a matter of maintaining health. The Mariners need him in order to have the deepest starting rotation in baseball.