The Seattle Mariners have added another name to their growing injury list, with reliever Cole Wilcox landing on the 15-day injured list because of a left oblique strain. Wilcox was removed from Thursday’s game against the Detroit Tigers after experiencing discomfort in his side, and the Mariners subsequently recalled right-hander Nick Davila from Triple-A Tacoma to take his roster spot. As of Sunday, Wilcox does not have a projected return date.
Wilcox’s injury occurred during the seventh inning Thursday. He had surrendered three runs while recording two outs before grabbing at his side after a pitch. Following a brief conversation with a team trainer, he left the mound in the middle of the at-bat. The 27-year-old right-hander has posted a 4.00 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 17 walks across 27 innings this season.
The latest development adds to an already lengthy list of Mariners dealing with injuries, including J.P. Crawford, Matt Brash, Carlos Vargas, Cooper Criswell, Luke Raley and Logan Evans.
J.P. Crawford
The Mariners don’t expect infielder J.P. Crawford to miss an extended amount of time with the wrist injury that placed him on the 10-day injured list.
Crawford is dealing with left wrist inflammation and was scheduled to receive an injection. He is expected to have three to five days of downtime before beginning the process of ramping back up toward baseball activities. General manager Justin Hollander previously indicated that Crawford could potentially return to Seattle in a “couple weeks.”
“Obviously, he’s been in discomfort as he tries to play through the wrist issue, which is like a tendon sheath issue,” Hollander said.
The wrist problem dates back to Seattle’s previous homestand. Crawford missed the final three games of the series against Cincinnati and was also held out of the lineup for the opening game of the following series against the Texas Rangers. He then sat out the final two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, although he entered Wednesday’s game as a defensive replacement.
With Crawford unavailable and Brendan Donovan not expected to return until Tuesday at the time of Hollander’s earlier update, the Mariners planned to rotate several options around the infield.
“I think when BD is back, obviously that’s a natural fit for him to come back (to),” Hollander said. “For this weekend, I would imagine you’ll see some Leo (Rivas), some Weston Wilson. We’ll see what the staff thinks as we go, but that’s the plan right now.”
Crawford remains listed as a multiple-week absence on Seattle’s latest injury report.
Matt Brash
Reliever Matt Brash continues to work his way back from a right lat injury. The right-hander was initially expected to begin throwing off a slope before progressing to bullpen work, but the latest update indicates he had not yet thrown a bullpen as of Aug. 8.
Manager Dan Wilson said that bullpen session is now “looming,” with Brash still targeting a mid-to-late-August return.
Brash is on the injured list for the second time this season. Before his latest stint, he had posted a 0.54 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, allowing only two runs — one earned — while striking out 15 and walking six over 16 2/3 innings.
Carlos Vargas
Carlos Vargas is further along in his recovery from a right lat strain and has now reached the rehab-assignment stage.
Vargas began his rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Aug. 8, throwing one inning on nine pitches. The Mariners reported that he came through the outing well and is expected to make two or three additional appearances before the organization evaluates his next step. His return is currently projected for the middle of August.
“will get a look at where he’s at in the bullpen tomorrow, but all positive signs for Vargy right now,” Hollander said in the earlier update.
Vargas has been sidelined since spring training and last appeared in a game March 23 during Cactus League play. He was second among Mariners relievers last season with 77 innings, finishing with a 3.97 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 54 strikeouts and 23 walks.
Cooper Criswell
Cooper Criswell is expected to be the last of Seattle’s injured right-handed relievers to return.
Criswell has been out since June 9 with a right shoulder injury and remains behind Brash in his throwing progression. The latest Mariners update puts his expected return in the late-August to early-September range.
Before going on the injured list, Criswell recorded a 3.52 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and eight walks over 30 2/3 innings.
Luke Raley’s season could be in jeopardy
Outfielder Luke Raley is dealing with a left forearm strain and was placed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 1, retroactive to July 31.
Raley had been dealing with discomfort in the area for several weeks, and general manager Justin Hollander said his season could potentially be over. The organization is still determining the best course for his longer-term recovery, with Seattle’s latest injury report listing a possible return in 2027.
Logan Evans
Right-hander Logan Evans continues to recover from Tommy John surgery and is not expected to pitch during the 2026 season.
Evans underwent surgery to repair his right ulnar collateral ligament in January and remains on the 60-day injured list. His return is projected for 2027.
Mariners injury picture
With Wilcox now joining the injured list, Seattle’s bullpen has taken another hit just as several key arms are attempting to work their way back.
The encouraging news is that Vargas has reached the rehab-assignment stage, while Brash continues to progress toward a potential return later this month. Crawford is also expected back after his wrist issue, although he will need several days of rest following his injection before beginning his ramp-up.
For now, however, Wilcox’s oblique injury remains the newest setback. The Mariners have not provided a timetable for his return, leaving Seattle to rely on additional bullpen depth while the right-hander works his way back.