The Mariners are right-handed Bryce Miller may not be available at the beginning of the season. Per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, Miller felt pain in his left side today and did not complete his bullpen session. “He’s definitely behind,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said. “It’s the type of injury where it seems wise not to rush him.
Miller was sidelined by left side pain about two weeks ago. An MRI revealed some inflammation and he was given an injection of platelet-rich plasma. His bullpen arrangement today was part of a ramp-up that would have given him a humiliating start to the season. This recall seems to put that in jeopardy. He’s not fully shut down, as he’ll still play catch and perform other duties, but the Mariners will want the pain to wear off before he fully allows him off the mound again.
It doesn’t seem like this is a major problem but it could be an early test of Seattle’s rotation depth. The Mariners have a strong starting lineup when everyone is healthy, as they have Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Luis Castillo and Miller. When they have to sink to their depths, things become questionable. Separating expressions Cooper Criswell again Emerson Hancock as two guys who could potentially step up if Miller misses some time.
Criswell’s best season so far was his 2024 showing with the Red Sox. He threw 99 1/3 innings in a swing role, allowing a 4.08 earned run average over nine. His 17.2% strikeout rate was low but he only walked 7.3% of opponents and put a low 50.3% of balls in play. In 2025, the Sox added arms and Criswell was largely restricted, making just seven major league appearances. He had a great game in Triple-A, throwing 65 2/3 innings with a 3.70 ERA, a 24.5% strikeout rate, a 10.1% walk rate and a 49.4% ground ball rate.
Despite the transfer numbers, Criswell exercised his last option in 2025, pushing him to the edge of the program. The Sox signed him to a 2026 contract with a salary of $800K, just above the league minimum of $780K, though he was not yet eligible for compensation. The plan seemed to move him off waivers, allowing him to serve as Triple-A depth despite being out of options. That plan didn’t work, as the Mets said he was out of action in December. When the Mets cut him from their roster, Seattle sent money to Queens to get him out of DFA limbo.
Criswell’s number is correct but there is a little risk there. His speed does not reach 90 miles per hour, which makes him a humbling figure in this era. He managed to get the guys out anyway, but it’s a fine line to walk.
Hancock is a front-sixer but his big league performance hasn’t reached that level yet. Over the past three years, he has pitched the M’s 162 2/3 innings with a 4.81 ERA, 15.6% strikeout rate, 7.6% walk rate and 40.1% ground ball.
One thing that could work in Criswell’s favor is that Hancock still has an option, so he could be sent to Triple-A for an extended stay there. With Criswell out of options, he needs to be in the rotation or the bullpen. If Criswell ends up having a rotation spot, that could help ease some of the pressure on the bullpen. Seattle’s eight relief weapons all have no options other than this Matt Brash again Jose A. Ferrerthey are too good to be put down.
If Hancock and Criswell are both in the major leagues, Blas Castano he could be the only depth starter we can select in the Triple-A rotation. He has just one major league appearance on his track record and posted a 5.19 ERA in Triple-A last year. The Mariners have it Dane Dunning, Jonathan Díaz, Randy Dobnak again Casey Lawrence in camp as undrafted invitees with some major league experience.
Photo courtesy of Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images
