Brash throws from mound, could return to Mariners in September

HOUSTON -- Matt Brash threw his first off-the-mound bullpen session since hitting the injured list two months ago on Saturday at Daikin Park.

The next step will be another session this week in Milwaukee, where the Mariners’ three-city road trip concludes on Thursday, then potentially one more and/or a live batting practice after the team returns to Seattle next weekend.

From there, Brash could begin a Minor League rehab assignment, with the possibility of returning in September.

“I feel like I'm over that hump and I'm throwing every day, and I feel good,” Brash said. “I don't feel sore the next day. Like, I'm good to go. So, just kind of hitting those points and getting those gains in before I'm actually back. It'll take a little bit of time, but I feel good.”

Brash will be a welcome addition to a Mariners bullpen that entered Saturday’s game with a 5.40 ERA since the All-Star break, which ranked third highest in the sport.

So, too, will Carlos Vargas, who threw his third rehab assignment outing on Friday at Triple-A Tacoma, firing 23 pitches over 1 2/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts. Sidelined since suffering a right lat strain while going through pregame warmups on Opening Day, he could be nearing activation.

Cooper Criswell is also not far behind Brash and was seen playing catch with Brash before Saturday’s bullpen session. Criswell has been about a week or so behind Brash in his recovery from a right shoulder strain.

The club actively looked to add bullpen help ahead of the Trade Deadline -- beyond Seranthony Domínguez from the White Sox -- but now appears on the cusp of getting quite a few in-house reinforcements.

Elsewhere on the pitching front, the Mariners on Saturday claimed right-hander Troy Watson off waivers from the Tigers. The 29-year-old has pitched in 21 games in Detroit’s Minor League system this season in Single-A, High-A and Triple-A, going 4-3 with a 2.89 ERA, 46 strikeouts, 24 walks and one save over 65 1/3 innings. He will report to Tacoma.

As for Brash, he landed on the IL for the second time due to a right lat strain on June 10, though he described the latest as more severe than the initial.

“I don't know if they're connected, probably a little bit,” Brash said. “But yeah, I definitely feel like we handled that first one well. Like, I felt good in my rehab coming back. I didn't have anything, especially in the spot where I had my [initial] strain. So yeah, I don't know what it was. But it got me pretty good, which sucks.”

Brash rejoined the Mariners in Houston to explicitly work alongside pitching coach Pete Woodworth and director of pitching strategy Trent Blank. But just as much, he wanted to be around his guys. Throwing to bullpen catchers Justin Novak and Fleming Baez also brings an extra layer of comfort -- and adrenaline.

“I want them to do well, but I also want to contribute, and I know I can when I'm healthy and on the field,” Brash said. “So it's really just trying to focus on getting back and fully impacting some games in September or whenever I'm back. And yeah, obviously I watch every game.”