Andrés Muñoz's Nightmare Season Reaches Lowest Point Yet

The loss was the second walk-off home run Seattle allowed over three games against the A’s, and arguably the Mariners’ biggest gut-punch this season. However, Sunday’s defeat further magnified how rough Muñoz’s 2026 has been.

Over 58 appearances this season, the right-hander is 5-6 with a 4.25 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. While his strikeout numbers remain elite, recording 86 punchouts compared to just 23 walks, the home run ball has been Muñoz’s Kryptonite. He has allowed a career-high eight home runs over 55 innings.

That total matches the eight he allowed over 2024 and 2025 combined. And that isn’t the only career-worst mark for Muñoz in 2026. He has recorded a career-high 10 blown saves in 37 opportunities this season. On top of that, Muñoz’s 26 earned runs allowed match the 26 he allowed in 2024 and 2025 combined.

Muñoz’s struggles have been at the center of a Seattle bullpen that has regressed significantly in 2026. Last season, the Mariners bullpen posted a 3.72 ERA, good for ninth in the majors. This season, that number has risen to 4.55, which ranks 23rd in baseball.

Several of Seattle’s high-leverage relievers, including Muñoz, have regressed statistically. Eduard Bazardo’s ERA has risen from 2.52 in 2025 to 4.04 in 2026, while Gabe Speier’s has increased from 2.61 to 3.02.

Yet Muñoz’s regression is the starkest. After posting a minuscule 1.73 ERA over 64 appearances across 62.1 innings last season, his ERA has risen by more than two and a half runs to 4.25 over 58 appearances and 55 innings in 2026.

Some of Muñoz’s advanced metrics have also regressed. This season, hitters own an average exit velocity of 89 mph, which ranks in the 41st percentile. Last season, that number was 86.9 mph and ranked in the 94th percentile. Additionally, opposing hitters’ hard-hit rate off Muñoz has jumped from 39.9 percent (55th percentile) in 2025 to 42.5 percent (17th percentile) in 2026.

That harder contact is a major reason Muñoz hasn’t been the dominant All-Star closer he was in 2024 and 2025.

In too many games, the Mariners have led late but failed to slam the door. Sunday was just the latest example of that occurring, and for Muñoz, another nightmare outing in a tough season.

Entering Monday, Seattle (70-80) sits five games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West and six games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot.

The Mariners continue their nine-game road trip on Monday, opening a series with the Los Angeles Angels at 9:38 p.m. ET.

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