Mariners have zero plans to put Bryan Woo on the Injured List

While Bryan Woo isn’t expected to go on the IL, it would help the Mariners if they secure the second seed and give him more time to recover.

As the Seattle Mariners prepare for one of the most important weeks in franchise history, one important situation off the field lingers over a team expected to make the playoffs. More specifically, where is Bryan Woo in his recovery from minor inflammation for pectoral tightness, suffered last Friday during his start in Houston against the Astros?

Well, Mariners general manager Justin Hollander provided an update on Tuesday afternoon and it proved to be extremely positive, with him advising that Woo is responding well to treatment. Hollander said:

“He’s already feeling much better. He’s in a really good mental place now. He was very disappointed on Friday postgame just with the uncertainty. He really wanted to go (and) dominate the entirety of the game and it just wasn’t the case to do that.”

Mariners won’t be putting Woo on the IL

Understandably using caution with Woo, he won’t make his next scheduled start on Thursday, but Hollander added news which will be music to the ears of Mariners fans. He said:

“Zero plans to place him on the IL now. Tomorrow or Thursday we’ll put a baseball in his hand again and see how that feels throwing and then we’ll (go) day by day.”

With pitchers needing to go on the Injured List for 15 days, the Mariners were always going to try and avoid doing this with Woo if possible. As Hollander said:

“At this time of the year, we’re not blind to the context of what 15 days means. But he’s also doing really well, and we don’t think he’ll need 15 days. So, even if we were in June, I don’t think he would need IL placement right now.”

M’s manager Dan Wilson happy with the plan for Woo

After Hollander, M’s manager Dan Wilson had his usual pregame dugout media session and he agreed with the decision for Woo to skip his next start. Wilson said:

“The news continues to be good. I think it’s a smart thing to do at this point, to get him back to where he needs to be and I think it’s a smart move all around as he continues to get stronger, and just continue to monitor him as we go.”

Woo has been the Mariners’ staff ace this season, as the most consistent, effective and durable member of the rotation. As such it’s imperative the team has him back for the playoffs, pending official confirmation of their qualification.

At the same time the Mariners are making sure not to rush Woo’s recovery and risk any potential relapse. One thing which would help significantly is if the team hold’s onto their current position as the second AL seed, which would bring with it a first round bye and extra invaluable time for the righty to return as close to 100 percent as possible.

As for Thursday’s series finale versus the Colorado Rockies, the starter is unknown at this stage although Hollander said it will be someone already with the Mariners. As per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times one intriguing possibility is Emerson Hancock, who was recently moved to the bullpen.

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Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

Do you feel confident having Woo take the ball for Game 1 of the Mariners’ opening playoff series, pending their anticipated qualification for the postseason. Or do you believe it would be better for someone else to take the ball and have him start in Game 2 instead? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.