SEATTLE -- Tanner Bibee's second opportunity at his first career Opening Day start came to an abrupt end on Thursday at T-Mobile Park, when the Guardians right-hander exited just before beginning the bottom of the sixth inning with right shoulder inflammation.
Bibee appeared in discomfort after throwing his final warmup pitch in the sixth. Manager Stephen Vogt, pitching coach Carl Willis and trainer Jeff Desjardins convened with Bibee on the mound, before the 27-year-old walked off with Desjardins.
Reliever Connor Brogdon, who was already warming up in the Guardians’ bullpen, took over in the sixth.
Bibee allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out six batters in his first Opening Day start. He was set to take the ball in the Guardians’ season opener last year, but was scratched four hours before first pitch against the Royals due to food poisoning.
Each of the Mariners’ runs off Bibee came via a solo home run. Brendan Donovan hit a leadoff blast in the first, Dominic Canzone added one in the second and Luke Raley another in the fifth.