It took exactly two pitches for the Mariners to realize something was wrong in Minnesota. Matt Brash, a high-leverage weapon who has been nearly untouchable this season, exited the game almost as soon as he entered. The exit led to questions from fans and concerns within the organization regarding the nature of the injury, as a structural tear or a season-ending oblique strain is often a primary concern when a power pitcher leaves a game so quickly.
The subsequent MRI provided a reprieve. The imaging revealed inflammation in the right lat, but no structural damage. For a pitcher in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, any trip to the MRI machine is a significant event in the recovery process. General manager Justin Hollander described the results as probably the best news we could have possibly hoped for
because it’s nothing significant
, according to MLB.com.
“It just kind of creeped up on me in the bullpen before I came in,” Brash said, “and then I got in the game hoping that my adrenaline would take over a little bit and kind of get through it. And I just kind of knew right away.” Matt Brash, Mariners Pitcher
Managing the recovery of a post-surgery arm
The Mariners have operated with a heightened level of caution regarding Brash, a necessity given his surgical history. The club is treating the inflammation as a reminder to maintain a conservative approach. Hollander confirmed that the team will continue to be conservative
with his workload and recovery process.
The absence impacts the team’s options in the late innings. Brash has been a cornerstone of a bullpen that has posted a 3.31 earned run average, a mark that trails only the Rangers and the Giants. Through 11 1/3 innings of work, Brash has allowed just one unearned run, securing four holds and serving as the primary bridge to closer Andrés Muñoz. While Muñoz has faced a few uncharacteristic struggles, including a poor outing against the Padres on April 15, the collective stability of the relief corps—bolstered by Gabe Speier, Eduard Bazardo, and Jose A. Ferrer—has kept Seattle competitive.
Brash is now shut down for three to five days before he begins a throwing program early next week. Because the move to the 15-day injured list was made retroactive to April 30, the earliest he can return to the active roster is May 15. The short-term absence is a setback, but the lack of structural damage prevents a minor inflammation from becoming a season-altering event.
The opportunity for Josh Simpson
To fill the void, the Mariners recalled left-hander Josh Simpson from Triple-A Tacoma. The 28-year-old, acquired from the Marlins on Feb. 16 for cash considerations, represents a different kind of gamble for manager Dan Wilson. Simpson provides a third lefty option in the bullpen, a tactical advantage when facing left-handed heavy lineups.
Simpson’s tenure in Tacoma has shown flashes of the dominance Seattle is hoping for. He has surrendered only one run over 9 1/3 innings, striking out 12 batters. However, those same innings included six walks, highlighting a volatility that plagued his rookie season in Miami, where he posted a 7.34 ERA across 31 appearances. For Simpson, the call-up provides a chance to perform in a high-leverage MLB environment and establish a new level of consistency.
Robles and the hurdle of the long throw
While the bullpen deals with inflammation, the outfield is waiting on a recovery. Victor Robles is scheduled to join Tacoma on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment, as reported by Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Robles has been sidelined since April 7 with a pectoral strain, an injury that compounds a frustrating 2025 season in which a dislocated left shoulder cost him the majority of his playing time.
The path back for Robles is not merely about healing the pectoral muscle, but about regaining the functional strength required for elite outfield play. According to Lookout Landing, the team is monitoring his progress as he works back toward full strength. Until he can consistently execute the requirements of a starting outfielder, his return to the active roster remains tentative.
In the interim, the Mariners have relied on a platoon of Luke Raley and Rob Refsnyder in right field, with varying degrees of success. Raley began the season with a home run in each of the first three games and a hot streak in mid-April, but he has since fallen into a 1-27 slump over his last 12 games. Refsnyder has struggled similarly, posting a .135/.214/.297 slash line through 17 games. The lack of production in right field has made Robles’ progress a focal point for a team seeking offensive stability.
A roster battling systemic attrition
The Brash and Robles situations are part of a broader pattern of attrition currently affecting the Mariners. The club is managing a revolving door of injuries that range from acute strains to the lingering effects of offseason surgeries. Third baseman Brendan Donovan, for example, is dealing with a left groin muscle strain that Hollander believes is linked to a sports hernia surgery from last October.
“We’ve had these injuries in the past, and the players who’ve had the offseason sports hernia surgery tend to battle it for a good portion of the season next year,” Hollander said. Justin Hollander, Mariners General Manager
Donovan is expected to begin a two-game rehab assignment with Double-A Arkansas on Tuesday, with a potential activation date of May 8 in Chicago. The team plans to implement load management strategies, including designated hitter days and occasional off-days, to keep him healthy. Other players on the roster are similarly navigating their own recovery timelines and managing soft-tissue concerns to avoid further setbacks.
Even the bright spots are tempered by caution. RHP Bryce Miller is progressing through his oblique rehab and is slated for an outing in Everett on May 6, targeting five innings and 65-70 pitches. The team will determine if he needs further seasoning after that start.
The current stretch tests the depth of the Mariners’ organization. The transition from the high-leverage reliability of Brash to the unproven MLB potential of Simpson, combined with a struggling right field, places a premium on the health of the remaining roster. The team’s ability to maintain its bullpen ERA while integrating returning players without causing secondary injuries will define their early-season trajectory.
What to watch: The primary focus remains on Victor Robles’ first week in Tacoma. If he can successfully regain his arm strength, the Mariners may have a path to stabilizing their right field before the upcoming series against Houston. Simultaneously, the club will monitor Josh Simpson’s command in his first MLB appearances to see if his Triple-A strikeout rate translates to the big league level.
