Key Mariners reliever takes big leap in recovery after Tommy John surgery

Though pitching was hardly the problem for the Seattle Mariners in 2024, they're already getting help on that front as the organization looks toward 2025. At least that could help against the front office failing to properly upgrade the offense ...

Nonetheless, Mariners fans can join Matt Brash in being all smiles. The 26-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2024 season due to a right elbow injury, leading to the fateful Tommy John surgery.

However, seven months after hitting the shelf, the Canadian hurler was spotted this past weekend pitching off a mound with a huge grin during a bullpen session.

Brash was already in a positive state of mind over a month ago regarding the rehab process. It's never easy climbing back from Tommy John, but Brash has made tremendous strides since undergoing the operation in May.

Mariners News: Matt Brash making way back from Tommy John surgery

"It's been a pretty quick recovery for me and it's felt good, and I'm getting excited,” Brash told MLB.com back in early August.

While the Mariners are definitely excited about Brash's expedited recovery, they should still proceed with caution. It's a long offseason, so there's no urgent need to get him up to game speed just yet. We are under four months away from pitchers reporting to Spring Training, which is a great deal of time.

In 2023, Brash strung together an impressive first season with the Mariners, firing 107 strikeouts across 70 2/3 innings. He won nine games in relief that year, tallying 24 holds, including six in September as Seattle attempted a push to the postseason. By every metric, Brash was one of the most powerful arms a year ago. His strikeout and whiff rates were among the best in MLB behind a lights-out slider. He also collected four saves that season, and began cementing himself as a key to the future of the Mariners' pitching staff.

Ideally, the Mariners would love to have him back at 100% in June of next season, but going by the looks of it, perhaps he will be back in Mariners threads sooner than expected.