Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo appears likely to avoid a stint on the injured list despite experiencing discomfort in his right shoulder.
The Mariners adjusted their rotation after Woo reported shoulder discomfort, which forced the team to postpone his scheduled start. The issue initially surfaced during Seattle’s win over the Houston Astros last Sunday, when Woo surrendered two runs over six innings.
Rather than place him on the injured list immediately, Seattle has opted for a cautious approach while monitoring his condition and determining when he can safely return to the mound.
With Woo unavailable for his scheduled start against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday, highly regarded prospect Kade Anderson is set to step into the rotation and make his major league debut. Anderson has been dominant at Double-A Arkansas, posting a 1.06 ERA and 0.64 WHIP with 135 strikeouts over 93 1/3 innings. He has also issued only 13 walks while limiting opposing hitters to a .147 batting average.
According to MLB.com’s latest Mariners injury and roster update, Woo’s status remains listed as right shoulder discomfort, with his return date yet to be determined. However, manager Dan Wilson has expressed optimism that the right-hander will not need an injured-list stint.
One of the more positive signs is that Woo has not required imaging on his shoulder. Wilson indicated that the Mariners are hopeful the pitcher will only need additional rest and could potentially miss no more than his next scheduled outing.
The timing of the injury is particularly significant considering Woo’s recent form. The right-hander has been excellent in August, recording a 1.00 ERA across 18 innings in three starts while striking out 15 and issuing only three walks.
Seattle also has some flexibility because of Anderson’s arrival. MLB Pipeline ranks the 22-year-old left-hander as the Mariners’ top prospect and the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball, giving the club another potential rotation option while Woo recovers.
Bryce Miller is still expected to start Sunday’s series finale. Following that game, the Mariners will reassess their rotation and determine how to proceed with Woo’s return. The team is even considering using a six-man rotation temporarily.
For now, the biggest takeaway is positive: Seattle has not placed Bryan Woo on the injured list, and the Mariners appear to believe that rest could be enough to resolve the shoulder issue. His exact return date remains unclear, but there is currently no indication of a lengthy absence.
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