No Smyl(y)s for Mariners, Drew Smyly out 6-8 Weeks

Mar 15, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; United States pitcher Drew Smyly (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Venezuela during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; United States pitcher Drew Smyly (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Venezuela during the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners were delivered its first major blow of the 2017 season, just three days before it began. Pitcher, Drew Smyly, will miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season with a forearm injury.

The Mariners announced just minutes ago that left-handed pitcher Drew Smyly will miss the first 6-8 weeks of the 2017 season due to a flexor bundle strain in his left arm. 710 ESPN Shannon Drayer report:

Drayer followed up with a bit of good news:

The news cannot be a welcome sight to anybody in the organization. The team already had multiple questions surrounding the rotation, including the rocky springs of veterans, Hisashi Iwakuma and Yovani Gallardo.

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The best case scenario for Smyly appears to be a rehab assignment in late May and a return the M’s in early June. This is assuming he suffers no setbacks and doesn’t need surgery. If he does, the Mariners will need to aggressively pursue starting pitching at the trade deadline.

The Mariners have recalled Ariel Miranda from AAA Tacoma and have already announced he will pitch the 4th game of the season in Houston. Miranda pitched well down the stretch of 2016, posting a 3.54 ERA in 10 starts, including a 2.62 ERA in 34.1 innings during September.

Miranda sat at 92-93 mph with his fastball and backed it up with a tremendous change-up/splitter. The question for Miranda has always centered around his breaking ball. If he can find consistency with the pitch, he has #3 starter stuff.

As a result of not having a third quality pitch, Miranda struggles to get through the order a 3rd time around. Opponents slash .273/.368/.545 against him when they see him for the 3rd time.

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However, the M’s can help Miranda with this issue. How? By carrying an extra bullpen member to help bridge the gap from Miranda to the 7th inning.

It is never good for a team to suffer an injury in its starting rotation. The M’s now have major questions up and down its rotation. If Ariel Miranda can repeat his 2016 performance until mid-June, the Mariners should be able to keep their heads above water until reinforcements arrive.