Mariners make smart call naming Logan Gilbert opening day starter

As much as Bryan Woo would have deserved the honor of getting that first start, digging deeper reveals the Mariners made the right decision.

What has been hinted at in recent weeks became official on Thursday, with the announcement that Logan Gilbert will be the Mariners’ opening day starter on Mar. 26 versus the Guardians. This will be his second straight opening day start and as with last season in a 4-2 win against the Athletics, he will get to take the mound at home in the friendly confines of T-Mobile Park.

When Mariners manager Dan Wilson was asked a couple of weeks ago if he was ready to name his opening day starter, he said it was too early to make such a decision, which was an understandable stance. However, just by virtue of the pitching schedule during spring training, it at least mathematically alluded to Gilbert getting the honor.

We can entirely appreciate those who say Bryan Woo should have been given the privilege of facing the Guardians to open the 2026 campaign, with him now arguably the best starter on the team. Last season he led the Mariners with a 4.2 bWAR, was the only All-Star in the rotation and finished fifth in AL Cy Young voting.

Woo also set a franchise record by going at least six innings in his first 25 starts of the year, but this actually takes us towards part of the thinking behind him not getting the nod for opening day. The reality is that he has had injury issues every year since he was drafted by the Mariners in 2021, and the organization is focused on doing everything possible to improve his health.

Mariners playing it smart with Bryan Woo

As explained earlier this month by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the Mariners have different ways to mitigate his durability, including not starting him on opening day and then taking advantage of April’s four off days to add in extra rest. This is what they did last season with him not starting on a standard four day’s rest until May, resulting in a career-high 186.2 innings.

As competitive as Woo is, we’re sure he can appreciate it’s about improving his chances of longevity during the season, even if this means not getting the ball on opening day. As much as he wants to be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, he knows the importance of putting the team above any individual goals, especially with a genuine shot at making the World Series in 2026.

While it was always going to be between Gilbert and Woo as to who would start opening day, Wilson wanted the entire rotation there for the announcement, which speaks volumes about the closeness and camaraderie of the group. Wilson said:

“Obviously these are difficult decisions and every one of those guys is a number one. … (However), being able to tell all of them together, as we’ve talked about the group of them together, how they relate to each other, it was great to have them all in there together.”

Dan Wilson gives kudos to the entire rotation

Wilson discussed what led to him picking Gilbert again as the opening day starter, but he also expanded on this to once again stress the value all of the starters bring to the rotation. He said:

“Logan is a guy that, we’ve all talked about his work ethic and how hard he works in between starts, but they all do that. And I think that’s what’s beautiful about really the entire group is that they impact each other in a lot of ways.”

With all the talk about Woo’s durability, it is fair if people want to point out that Gilbert himself also spent time on the injured list last year with a right elbow flexor strain. However, the difference is this was his first ever stint on the IL, and just a season earlier he had led the majors with 208.2 innings and a career-high 33 starts.

Logan Gilbert not taking opening day honor for granted

In any event, Gilbert is grateful for the opportunity to start on opening day and appreciate the moment, while also being cognizant of the overall talent within the rotation. As per Tim Booth of The Seattle Times, he said:

“Every year is so unique, just because of things constantly changing. Last year, a lot of people had really good years. I felt good about it, but of course had the little IL stint. So that’s why I say that. I definitely see myself in this role, this type of pitcher and have for a long time, but I also understand we have a lot of really talented arms.”

The rotation is facing some early adversity, with Bryce Miller unlikely to be available for the beginning of the season and depth starter Logan Evans gone for the year after UCL surgery. However, this is still a strong group overall, and more than capable of returning to being the best statistical and overall rotation in the majors, as they were in 2024.

Certainly, you know you’re in a strong position when you get to decide between Gilbert and Woo for who will be the opening day starter. This promises to be a special 50th season of Mariners baseball in Seattle, and if the overall strength and talent of the rotation is any indication, expect the team to be making some serious noise come September time and deep into October.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

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