Mariners: 5 takeaways from release of ALDS roster to face Tigers

We break down some of the key points as the Mariners prepare to take the field for Game 1 of their AL Division Series at home to the Tigers.

Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander has announced the Mariners 26-man roster which will face the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. Game 1 will take place on Saturday at T-Mobile Park, with first pitch scheduled for 5:38 pm PT.

We’ve already covered the biggest news, with Bryan Woo left off the roster due to his longer than anticipated recovery from right pectoral inflammation. However, here are five other takeaways which stand out from the announcement of the 26-man roster:

1) An unexpected curveball for the Mariners

It wouldn’t be the Seattle Mariners if there wasn’t some potential drama to contend with and on this occasion it’s a beauty. Josh Naylor and his wife are expecting their first child due on Saturday, meaning he could have to depart at any given moment.

Of course no one with a sane mind will hold it against Naylor if he does have to leave at some point during the ALDS. Mariners fans can only hope his wife gives birth on one of the off days during this series, but what we do know is that he will remain with the team until she goes into labor.

Candidates to fill in at first base include Luke Raley and Eugenio Suárez, although the latter had never played the position until this season – and even then it’s only been a few brief outings. However, he’s been taking practice drills at first base during the past week and in the event he does get the call to fill in for Naylor, Ben Williamson will prove to be an able replacement at third base.

2) A second bite of the apple

The last time the Mariners made it to the playoffs in 2022, they swept the Toronto Blue Jays in the wild card round and then suffered the same fate at the hands of the Houston Astros in the ALDS. As it turns out, there are a decent number of players still in Seattle, who will be looking to do better this time around.

In total there are nine Mariners on this year’s ALDS roster, who were there at the same stage three seasons ago. These include Suárez, J.P. Crawford, Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, Matt Brash, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Andrés Muñoz.

Of the nine we would contend Rodríguez and Raleigh are the biggest threats but also face the most pressure versus the Tigers. On some levels J-Rod is still looking to live up to his reputation as a generational superstar, while his teammate is coming off a 60-home run season and looking to cement his case to be named AL MVP over Aaron Judge.

3) Is three company or a crowd?

Out of the 14 position players, the Mariners have decided to go with three catchers including Raleigh, Mitch Garver and Harry Ford. There is some understandable surprise about including Ford, with just eight plate appearances, one hit and one RBI to his name at the Major League level.

However, as noted by Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, Ford is there to offer some insurance when both Raleigh and Garver are in the lineup at the same time, at catcher and DH respectively. This is likely to be the case on Sunday for Game 2, with southpaw ace Tarik Skubal scheduled to start for the Tigers in Seattle.

Ford had a tremendous season in the minors, including his first exposure to Triple–A baseball. In 97 games for the Tacoma Rainiers he batted .283, producing 16 home runs and 74 RBI as part of a .868 OPS.

4) Looking to overcome a key pitching absence

Not having Woo for the ALDS is obviously a big blow for the Mariners. He has been the best pitcher in the rotation throughout 2025, and the team will be hoping he can return for the ALCS, of course pending them advancing past the Tigers.

Of the 12 pitchers selected, five have some sustained experience as a starter including George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Emerson Hancock. Both Miller and Hancock have the capability to be used as long-length relievers out of the bullpen, although due to Woo’s extended absence, the former could be in line to start Game 4 if needed.

The M’s only have two southpaws within their pitching staff and both are relievers, in Gabe Speier and Caleb Ferguson. Speier is having a career-year which includes single-season bests of a 1.4 WAR, 76 appearances, a 0.871 WHIP and 33.7 strikeout rate, while Ferguson was added at the trade deadline and has been inconsistent during his time in Seattle.

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5) Other notes for the Mariners

The ALDS roster includes seven players acquired in the draft, 12 via trade, three Major League free agents, two minor league free agents, one waiver claim and one international free agent.

Leo Rivas gets the nod at infield over Cole Young and Miles Mastrobuoni.

Young and Mastrobuoni make the taxi squad, along with Woo and fellow pitchers Logan Evans and Casey Legumina.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

Is there anything else which stands out to you about the Mariners’ roster to face the Tigers? Either way, what is your prediction for who will advance to the ALCS, and why? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.