Mariners move starter Bryce Miller to bullpen amid struggles

Seattle Mariners pitcher Bryce Miller. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mariners move starter Bryce Miller to bullpen amid struggles

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Aug 28, 2026 6:31 PM ET

According to Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson, Bryce Miller will temporarily be shifting to a bullpen role in wake of his recent struggles.

Miller's move to the bullpen won't be permanent as the team still sees him as a long-term starter in the rotation. In the second half of the season, he's logged an inflated 7.18 ERA, which is a significant drop-off from his strong 2.18 ERA across 57.2 innings in the first half of the season.

He also had a dominant 65:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio (K/BB), but following a lat injury and subsequent struggles, he accumulated a 27:16 K/BB across 36.1 innings.

In August, Miller's ERA skyrocketed to 9.00, and the Mariners lost the last eight games that he started, which led to the shift as he works to regain his confidence and rediscover his dominance that he had at the start of the season.

Bryce Miller is heading to the bullpen, per Dan Wilson just now.

He reiterated that this is “not a permanent thing” and that the club still views him as a starter longer-term.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) August 28, 2026

Why Bryce Miller's temporary shift to the pen helps the Mariners

Miller's move to the bullpen comes as no surprise. He was asked to pitch out of the 'pen on Wednesday in case starter Bryan Woo couldn't pitch deep into the game. While it was viewed as a one-time thing, it inevitably foreshadowed a move to the pen.

The Mariners' bullpen has also been heavily taxed. Temporarily moving Miller will help ease the stress of an overworked 'pen while helping him reset. Having Miller pitch in the 'pen should help him work out mechanical issues in a lower-leverage role.

In addition, the Mariners start a pivotal series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, who are a half-game up on Seattle in the AL wild-card race. The Mariners will want to have their best arms in the rotation with both teams having their eyes set on clinching the postseason.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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