CHICAGO -- One of the biggest questions surrounding the Mariners so far has finally been answered -- for now.
Starting pitcher Bryce Miller will come off the injured list and make his season debut on Wednesday in Houston, manager Dan Wilson announced on Saturday at Rate Field.
Seattle will deploy a six-man rotation as it grinds through a 13-game stretch without an off-day. Logan Gilbert will start on normal rest Sunday vs. the White Sox. For the four-game series in Houston, George Kirby (Monday) and Bryan Woo (Tuesday) will pitch on normal rest before Miller slots in on Wednesday and Luis Castillo follows on Thursday. Emerson Hancock, who started the opener against the White Sox, will pitch Friday night against San Diego.
After that, questions around the rotation will once again arise, as Wilson did not commit to the six-man system for long.
“Yes, everyone gets an extra day … but we will kind of recalibrate once we get back,” Wilson said.
Miller’s return has been a hot topic surrounding the club as Hancock (3.21 ERA in eight starts) pitched his way into a starting role, while Castillo, the highest-paid player on the team and one of the most respected veterans in the clubhouse, has had a rough start to 2026 (6.29 ERA in seven starts). He started Saturday's game against the White Sox, hoping to turn things around.
Miller, who had an outstanding postseason and pitched to a 2.94 ERA across 31 starts in 2024, provides a dilemma most teams want -- six healthy and capable starters.
Miller injured his right oblique in Spring Training, which allowed Hancock to step into a starting role, where he has flourished. That’s what made this decision so difficult.
A few options were discussed outside of the six-man rotation:
- Move Miller to the bullpen as a piggyback option, most likely with Castillo.
- Move Castillo to the ‘pen as a piggyback option for Miller.
- Move Hancock to the bullpen, given that he transitioned to relief late last year.
Those are still options, and how Miller, Castillo and Hancock pitch in their next few outings could determine their roles. Don’t expect the six-man rotation to last long -- the Mariners want Woo, Kirby and Gilbert pitching as much as possible.
The temporary plan means Seattle will be a man short in the bullpen, which is already down high-leverage arms Matt Brash (right lat inflammation) and Gabe Speier (left shoulder inflammation). Closer Andrés Muñoz has also been working through struggles.