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2. Two of the five starting pitchers will miss significant time on the Injured List
Okay, I know that does not sound good at all. I am not trying to put negative thoughts into the universe here, but I am trying to be realistic. Luis Castillo, George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo all combined to make 139 out of 162 starts, roughly 85% of the total games played. That is an insane amount of starts coming from just 5 pitchers. How realistic is it to expect the same results in 2024?
It seems like pitchers are going down with serious injuries more frequently, and the Mariners were a bit lucky in that department in 2023. But even the Mariners couldn't escape the injury bug. Robbie Ray, the team's highest paid player, made just one start for the Mariners before needing elbow surgery and missed the rest of the season. Chris Flexen filled in but strggled, and was later designated for assignment.
George Kirby's Pitch Grips.
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 4, 2024
-Four Seam Fastball
-Two Seamer
-Knuckle Curve (2 different grips)
-Spiked Slider (2 different grips)
-Splitter
-Knuckleball
Big thanks to @gkirb98! pic.twitter.com/7b9ReHavsC
Marco Gonzales, who rarely missed time at all, made just 10 starts for the Mariners in 2023. He underwent season-ending surgery to repair a nerve issue in his left forearm. With both Ray and Gonzales out, the Mariners had to rely on a few rookies: Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo, and Emerson Hancock. Miller and Woo finished out the season in the rotation, while Hancock made just 3 starts before going down with an injury of his own.
Shoot, the Mariners are already dealing with injuries in their bullpen. Matt Brash, Gregory Santos, and Jackson Kowar are all dealing with arm injuries. Brash seems like he avoided a major injury, and Santos could be back in late April-May. Kowar needed elbow surgery, and he is already out for the season. At least they were able to sign Ryne Stanek.
Sometimes, teams have to rely on luck to make it healthy all the way through a 162-game season. But injuries can happen to anybody, no matter who you are. Mega-star Shohei Ohtani had elbow surgery late last season, and will not pitch in 2024. Gerrit Cole, the 2023 Cy Young Award winner, has an elbow injury that may require surgery. Both Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom will be out until July with injuries of their own. These things can happen, you just have to hope that the Mariners have enough depth to make it through.