More bad Mariners bullpen news drops after Matt Brash Tommy John diagnosis

After finding out that Matt Brash was in fact facing Tommy John surgery, Mariners fans were already in a sour mood knowing that their bullpen stud and his all-time nasty slider was going to be out until at least the middle of 2024. Optimistic and initial reports have him back in June of 2024, but it seems like pitchers normally miss 14-16 months after Tommy John, so a late season return seems more likely.

Now, fans were dealt another blow. Everyone was excited when the Mariners traded for Gregory Santos this offseason, thinking of the potential for a devestation three-headed monster in the bullpen with Santos, Brash, and Munoz. For a while, the assumption and thought was that Santos would be back towards the end of May.

Gregory Santos will be out until at least July

This news came out late last week as the Mariners got back home for this stretch of games against the Athletics and Royals. Justin Hollander, the Mariners' GM, mentioned that he is still dealing with the lat injury, and will likely remain out until July. Santos had been throwing in Arizona, although only from flat ground, and isn't progressing as fast as the team originally hoped he would. His program has been shut down after progressing out to 60-90 feet.

Let's hope that it's precautionary, and nothing more serious is needed for Santos. The Mariners are already facing a thinner bullpen than they wanted after seeing Sewald, Campbell, and Topa all depart since last year's trade deadline moves and offseason dealings, and Tayler Saucedo is on the IL as well with a hyperextended knee.

The Mariners have some options in their pen, but it hurts knowing that 2/3 of your potential three headed monster are out for the forseeable future. Let's hope that Santos is able to resume his program soon, and make his Mariners debut sometime this summer.