Mariners get Bryce Miller boost ahead of Astros clash

The Seattle Mariners are creeping back to .500 on the season. After a win against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of a 3-game series, the Mariners are 21-22 on the season. A win on Wednesday night and they are back to even. The Mariners will take on Lance McCullers Jr. while getting back a certain starter for this contest.

Ahead of this game against the Astros, Seattle is reinstating Bryce Miller from the IL and designating Jose Suarez for assignment. Miller has yet to pitch in 2026 after starting at least 18 games in the last three seasons. Miller owns a career 4.01 ERA with 364 strikeouts in 402 innings. There is a lot of upside with Miller’s stuff, but an oblique injury halted his start to the season. The only issue with the Mariners is that they have so much depth and not enough spots.

Could the Mariners go with a 6-man rotation? The rotation is so deep that they could get away with it. Giving some of these guys an extra day of rest could benefit them in the future. However, some of these guys, like George Kirby, have been so good that you want them out there as quickly as possible. Kirby joined an exclusive club after his latest start, where he allowed just one run in 5.0 innings. Kirby became the 12th pitcher in franchise history to reach 50 wins.

Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, and Emerson Hancock are all worthy of being a No. 1 this season. Luis Castillo is not, and maybe the Mariners could trade him to another team to free up a spot in the rotation. His 6.57 ERA is not typical of the Castillo that we are used to seeing, but he is more than capable of turning it around at just 33 years old.

First pitch on Wednesday night is at 5:10 PT.