Mariners now add Bryce Miller to their ever-growing injury list

The Seattle Mariners continue to get slammed on the injury front, with yet another starter now being placed on the IL.

Sometimes you have to wonder if the Seattle Mariners were collectively bad in a previous life, because this is a franchise which never seems to be able to catch a break even when things are seemingly going well. At least that’s our unscientific conclusion based on yet another player being added to the Injured List.

As confirmed by Bryce Miller himself on Wednesday ahead of the Mariners’ series finale versus the New York Yankees, he’s been placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation retroactive to May 12. This is a staggering blow to a rotation which is already missing Logan Gilbert and George Kirby.

In truth this news has been long coming, with Miller talking about arm soreness, back tightness and fatigue pretty much since the 2025 campaign started. It all finally came to a head this past Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, as he allowed a season-high eight hits and equalled a career-worst of seven earned runs.

Bryce Miller explains his injury

Postgame, the righty sounded like a broken man as he admirably opened up about the issues which have actually plagued him since the conclusion of last year. When speaking to the media on Wednesday, he said:

“I’ve mentioned it a few times, but it’s just been kind of lingering and kind of started really the back half of last year, and kind of led through the offseason. Spring (training) felt good, but really, since the first start of the year it hasn’t felt like it should. I have a little bit of inflammation in the joint and I’m just going to get it out, get it taken care of and hopefully feel good the rest of the year.”

While it’s never good to lose a mainstay of your rotation, there really is no other choice for a player who last year led all Mariners pitchers with a 3.4 WAR. This season through eight starts Miller has produced a 5.22 ERA, 3.99 FIP and 1.538 WHIP, which would all project to career-worsts.

One of the main indications of issues for the 2021 fourth round draft pick is that his velocity is down, which is extremely detrimental to a pitcher who relies so much on his fastball. He did stress though that everything structurally looks good after undergoing an MRI, as he said:

“I’ve just got to take care of the inflammation and go from there. … It just was something that’s been lingering and hasn’t been able to fix itself with the treatment we’ve been doing.”

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Mariners rotation in dire straits

Miller’s roster spot has been filled by southpaw Jhonathan Díaz, and now the urgency for Gilbert and Kirbyy to return has only intensified. Both are currently projected to potentially be back by the end of May, but it can’t come soon enough for a rotation which is a significant shadow of its former self.

Last season the Mariners had arguably the best rotation in the majors, with them leading the way in a whole host of categories. By comparison this year, as of Thursday morning they are ranked 23rd in ERA, 17th in strikeouts, tied 18th in opposing team batting average and 20th in WHIP.

Not that the Mariners aren’t suffering in general when it comes to injuries, with the likes of Víctor Robles, Ryan Bliss and Gregory Santos all out for at least a considerable portion of this season. And just for “fun”, a rejuvenated J.P. Crawford is now day-to-day with shoulder tightness.

When taking all of this into consideration, it’s little surprise the Mariners are 1-5 in their past six games following Wednesday’s 3-2 loss in the rubber match against the Yankees. As a result they now sit at 23-19 and have just a 1.0 game lead at the top of the AL West, with a desperately needed off-day on Thursday ahead of the Vedder Cup series in San Diego.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

This is clearly a challenging time for the Mariners. Are you confident they can overcome this injury situation and remain in contention, or concerned that it is going to be their undoing in the pursuit of a playoff spot? Let us know in the comments section below.