The last few weeks have been rough for Bryce Miller. Spring training began with promising reports from Peoria, as he worked on adding a new pitch while gradually building back to a starter’s workload. Just as he seemed to be finding his rhythm, he was sidelined temporarily with an oblique injury.
Some fans might take comfort in the fact that this is a less serious setback than the elbow inflammation that limited him to 90 innings last year, but it will still slow his spring ramp-up. Depending on the injury’s severity and how cautious the Mariners want to be, it could even delay his season debut.
Currently, the Mariners don’t seem overly concerned. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com recently reported that Miller threw 15–20 bullpen pitches at 80–90% effort, maintaining low-90s velocity with solid mechanics. This was mostly a check-in, but if progress continues, he should gradually return to live action.
It’s not exactly a make-or-break season, but many hope to see the Bryce Miller who posted a 2.94 ERA over 180.1 innings in 2024. Achieving that level in the majors requires full health, which makes a careful approach crucial. Rushing him back could worsen the injury and lead to a longer IL stint later. Missing some spring reps isn’t ideal, but it’s better than losing time during the regular season. If he needs extra recovery, Seattle has depth to cover the fifth rotation spot temporarily.
Overall, both Miller and the Mariners appear untroubled. As a young talent with several years of team control ahead, his long-term value is clear, and the organization’s measured handling of this setback shows they are managing their pitching staff with patience and confidence.