The Seattle Mariners are shuffling their rotation again, and Bryce Miller is the one headed out of the starting mix for now.
Before Friday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, manager Dan Wilson said Miller will not make his scheduled start on Sunday and will move to the bullpen. Seattle will go with Emerson Hancock on Friday, Kade Anderson on Saturday and Logan Gilbert on Sunday, using Thursday’s off day to reset the order and get Gilbert back on the mound then.
It’s a notable turn for Miller, who looked like the most reliable arm in the rotation for roughly six weeks after returning from the injured list in mid-May. That stretch has given way to a rough slide over his last nine starts, a span in which he has gone 1-8 with a 6.14 ERA. The Mariners have also been hammered in his last two outings, losing 22-0 and 19-2.
Wilson said the move is not being treated as a permanent demotion. His view is that plenty of starters have gone to the bullpen, found some footing, and returned to form. He framed this as a chance for Miller to get right.
At the same time, the Mariners see value in Miller’s flexibility. Wilson said the club wants him back on track, but also likes what he can do in relief, whether that means longer stints or shorter bursts.
That creates a tricky balance. If he’s used in brief outings, he won’t build up pitch count.
If he’s stretched out enough to do that, he likely won’t be available for the highest-leverage moments very often. Wilson said there isn’t a fixed bullpen role mapped out for him right now, just opportunities as they come.
Wilson also said these conversations can be tough, but he praised Miller for understanding the situation and being willing to help the team.
The Mariners open the three-game set with Toronto on Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. PT. Hancock will face right-hander Dylan Cease.
Seattle enters the series at 64-70, 3.0 games back in the American League West and 4.0 games out of a wild-card spot. Toronto is 0.5 games ahead of them.
Wilson also gave updates on Brendan Donovan, Cooper Criswell and Matt Brash, all of whom are with the club in Toronto.
Donovan is still working through his return after suffering a concussion last Saturday. He is eligible to come off the 7-day concussion list on Saturday, but Wilson said he does not expect that to happen.
Brash is set to throw a bullpen session in Toronto before the team decides on the next step. The Mariners still want him back this season, and that remains possible, though the clock is ticking with the Triple-A Tacoma season ending on Sept. 20.
“Brash, a chance to get off the mound here in Toronto, so once he gets a chance to get off the mound, we'll continue to see where he is and begin to put together a schedule for him as well...”
Criswell is scheduled for another rehab appearance on Friday and appears to be close to being activated. With roster expansion coming on Sept. 1, the timing could work in his favor.
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