Consistent good news on sidelined starters has Mariners poised to take off in June

Following a 1-5 homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees, there was plenty of concern for the Seattle Mariners. The was a sense that their ever-growing injury list was finally catching up to them, highlighted by a severely depleted rotation missing three regular starters.

Well, since then the Mariners have managed an impressive sweep of the San Diego Padres* and beat the Chicago White Sox 5-1 on Monday night, pushing their record to 27-19 and maintaining a 2.5-game lead in the AL West. The rotation has looked dominant, and things are looking encouraging when it comes to their aforementioned three injured starters.

* While entirely understanding and appreciating why the season series between the Mariners and Padres is labelled as the "Vedder Cup," can we not unofficially also refer to it as the Scott Servais Bowl, at least while he's in San Diego?

The latest on RHP George Kirby

Injury: Right shoulder inflammation

Of the injured trio, George Kirby has arguably been missed the most just by virtue of not yet pitching for the Mariners this season, following his injury in early March. In addition, how could you not miss a player who had the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the majors the past two years?

Now, Kirby is set to be the first of the three starters to return from injury, following three rehab outings in Triple-A Tacoma. It hasn't yet been confirmed whether the righty will be back for the Mariners' four-game series in Houston which begins May 22 but, as per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, he said: "I feel good, so I'm excited for whatever is next."

The latest on RHP Logan Gilbert

Injury: Right elbow flexor strain

Similarly to Kirby, there will be those who contend Logan Gilbert has been the one missed most, with him being the staff ace and looking even better than his career-year last season prior to his injury. He was removed after 3.0 innings of a start versus the Miami Marlins on April 25 and subsequently sent to the Injured List for the first time in his Major League career.

Also as per Kramer, Gilbert threw his first up-and-down bullpen session on May 17, with the positive sign that it was focused more on location and pitch mix rather than how the righty was feeling. He is potentially on course to be back for the Mariners by the end of this month, but it should be added that they are taking a tentative approach with his rehab in general.

The latest on RHP Bryce Miller

Injury: Right elbow inflammation

Finally we come to Bryce Miller, who mercifully was finally sent to the 15-day Injured List on May 14, retroactive to May 12. He had been talking about arm soreness, back tightness and general fatigue ever since this season started, and it finally got to the point where the Mariners had to do something no matter how short-handed their rotation was.

In theory, Miller can return as soon as he is eligible on May 27, although at this stage that remains to be seen. For what it's worth though, he was seen playing catch while the Mariners were in San Diego:

Overall, the Mariners have done extremely well to continue winning so consistently without the presence of Kirby, Gilbert, and Miller for varying degrees of time. However, if the trio can be their usual respective selves when they return, then the rest of the league really is going to have a big problem on their hands with the team from the Pacific Northwest.

Recent Posts