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Bryce Miller's Sudden Injury Leaves Mariners With Rotation Question

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joey Mistretta | Last updated Feb 28, 2026 9:15 PM ET

The Seattle Mariners are expected to have one of the best starting rotations in all of MLB this season. On Saturday, however, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com revealed that right-handed starter Bryce Miller is dealing with an injury concern.

"Injury update: Bryce Miller experienced some soreness in his left side/oblique after his outing on Thursday, which led to imaging that revealed inflammation, Justin Hollander just said. He'll be down a few days then begin light catch after," Kramer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Oblique injuries are always difficult to predict timelines for. Kramer later provided a "loose timeline" for the pitcher's potential return. According to the report, Miller will not have any activity this weekend, will participate in "light catch" five days after, and will be re-evaluated in exactly one week from Saturday.

Mariners May Have to Make a Starting Rotation Decision

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson (6)© Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Miller is expected to be in the starting rotation alongside Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo and George Kirby. If Miller is forced to miss any time during the regular season, however, then Seattle will have to decide on a fifth starter.

One has to wonder if a pitcher such as Emerson Hancock would be considered for the role. Seattle has other candidates as well. Depth likely won't be a concern.

Of course, the Mariners are hoping they won't have to make that decision. With Miller expected to miss at least one week, though, there is a chance he may not be ready for Opening Day. Even if he is fine in a week, Seattle may slow-play him through spring so he has proper time to build up for the season.

The 27-year-old is fresh off a 2025 campaign that saw him pitch to a 5.68 ERA across 18 starts. He was limited and never found much of a rhythm. In 2024, however, the right-handed pitcher turned in a strong 2.94 ERA across 31 starts. He struck out 171 hitters as well. Miller features the potential of an All-Star, and he is hoping to find his form once again in 2026.

For now, the Mariners are closely monitoring his status as spring training moves forward. Assuming no setbacks occur, Miller could return fairly soon. All we have at the moment is the aforementioned loose timeline, though. The Mariners will continue to monitor and provide updates on Bryce Miller's injury status as they are made available.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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