Mariners fans collectively held their breath when staff ace Bryan Woo exited Friday’s series opener against the Astros in the fifth inning with what would later be diagnosed as pectoral tightness. Today,
the team offered more clarity on their injured starter during GM Justin Hollander’s regular injury update prior to the beginning of the final homestand of the season.
Woo will not make his final start of the regular season, scheduled for Thursday. According to Hollander, that’s “mostly” because he’s been out of routine after the injury. But the team has “zero plans” to place him on the IL, Hollander says. “I don’t think right now we have any indication that he needs 15 days. At this time of year, we’re not blind to the context of what 15 days means right now. But also he’s doing really well, and we don’t think he’ll need 15 days. So even if we were in June, I don’t think he would be an IL placement right now.”
Woo will play catch tomorrow or Thursday and see how throwing feels. Hollander reports he’s reacted well to the treatment he’s had so far:” “it’s already feeling much better.” Even more importantly, Woo seems to be in a good place mentally. “He was very disappointed on Friday postgame, just with the uncertainty…the way he has felt the last couple days is very encouraging to him and us.”
The team has not yet announced who will start in Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies in place of Woo, although Hollander says it will be someone who’s already with the team; more likely, a combination of people to pitch in the game. “Some of that depends on how the next two days go,” says Hollander.
Hollander also offered updates on some other injured players. Logan Evans has “felt good” in each of his rehab outings, working on building volume with Tacoma. He’s scheduled to make another one later this week, although Hollander says they’re not building him up with five innings plus in mind; he’s working more 45-50 pitch outings, suggesting Evans won’t pitch with the big-league team in a starter capacity again this season, but appearances out of the bullpen during a potential postseason run are possible.
Similar to Evans, Gregory Santos continues on his rehab progression in Tacoma and could be a factor in the post-season, although he is “still looking to continue to build consistency: strike-throwing, velocity, all the same things,” per Hollander. “There are certainly scenarios where Gregory Santos hits his stride and gets going and will be a possibility, and then Logan Evans for sure.”
Hollander also provided updates on two pitchers who won’t be available for the postseason. Reliever Jackson Kowar is rehabbing in Arizona but not yet throwing, although Hollander says Kowar feels he “turned a corner” this week. Finally, Trent Thornton was seen wheeling around on his scooter in the clubhouse; he continues to target a return by spring training, undoubtedly helped along by the healing energy of his bullpen tribute.
