With Logan Gilbert nearing a return from the injured list, it appeared the Mariners might have all five of their primary starters available for the first time this season. However, Bryce Miller’s latest trip to the IL has delayed that scenario once again.
General manager Justin Hollander shared injury updates on both pitchers Friday, ahead of Seattle’s series opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
Logan Gilbert Update
Gilbert threw a bullpen session Friday at T-Mobile Park, shortly after Hollander spoke to reporters. That session likely marked the final step in his rehab process. If all went well—and it appears it did—Gilbert’s next start will likely come with the big-league club.
Supporting that assumption, Seattle made a roster move after the bullpen session: reliever Zach Pop was called up from Triple-A Tacoma, while starter Logan Evans was sent back down—strongly suggesting Gilbert is set to reclaim his rotation spot next week.
Gilbert, who has been sidelined since April 26 with a flexor strain in his pitching elbow, looked sharp in his third and most recent rehab start on Tuesday for Triple-A Tacoma. He pitched multiple scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, striking out six, and issuing only one walk.
“Logan feels really good about where he’s at,” Hollander said. “His stuff looks like vintage Logan Gilbert—pitch shapes, velocity, everything. We’re very excited about how he’s progressed and the volume of work he’s been able to handle.”
Bryce Miller Update
Miller, meanwhile, is dealing with a bone spur in his pitching elbow. After returning to the IL earlier this week with recurring elbow inflammation, he received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on Tuesday. He’ll be shut down from throwing for two weeks, after which he’ll begin a gradual return. If all goes according to plan, he could be back in four to six weeks—though Hollander noted it will likely be closer to six.
Miller was first placed on the IL in mid-May and received a cortisone injection, which didn’t yield the expected results. He returned to make two starts on May 31 and June 6, during which he gave up eight runs on 12 hits over nine innings combined.
“We’re hopeful the PRP injection is more effective,” said Hollander. “The cortisone didn’t produce the result we were looking for.”
Hollander added that team doctors and elbow specialist Dr. Keith Meister recommended PRP over surgery.
“When it comes to surgery decisions, that’s ultimately between the player and the doctor,” he said. “But both Dr. Meister and our medical team felt the PRP was the better route for now.”