With the Major League Baseball offseason now fully underway, the Seattle Mariners have made some procedural roster moves, re-instating three players who ended the season on the 60-day injured list back to the 40-man roster.

As noted by Mariners PR, the M's have re-instated infielder Ryan Bliss and relievers Gregory Santos and Trent Thornton.

Bliss missed essentially the whole season because of a left bicep tear and then an injured right meniscus. Santos had surgery on his knee and ended the season on a rehab assignment at Triple-A. Thornton tore his left Achilles on August 1.

Though each of these players are on the 40-man roster for now, there are questions still to answer about their futures.

About to turn 26 years old, Bliss was acquired by the Mariners in the 2023 deal that sent Paul Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He earned the Opening Day job at second base, but played only 11 games in 2025 because of injury.

He had one homer, three RBIs and two stolen bases in the early going. While Bliss figures to stay on the 40-man roster this offseason, his role moving forward is unclear.

Can he beat out former top prospect Cole Young for the starting second base job? What if Jorge Polanco also returns in free agency? Can he stay on the roster as Young's backup and play the super utility role once held by Dylan Moore? Or is he someone that the Mariners look to trade this offseason?

Acquired by the Mariners before the 2024 season, Santos has been a disappointment in Seattle. He's made only 16 appearances at the big-league level in two seasons because of several injuries, and when he has pitched, he hasn't been that effective. He's got an ERA of 5.02 in those 16 appearances, and has only six strikeouts in 14.1 innings.

There is real talk of him being non-tendered as he hits his first round of arbitration, but his age (26) and arm strength make it hard to imagine the Mariners will just give up on him unless they've made significant upgrades to the bullpen.

Heading into his final year of arbitration eligibility, Thornton is predicted to make $2.5 million by MLBTradeRumors. He's been a valuable member of the M's bullpen for 2.5 seasons, so they may very well want him around, but is that number too big for a player coming off a serious injury?

Thornton was already playing catch by the time the playoff run ended and appears to be progressing from injury well, but will he be ready by Opening Day? Those are the questions that the M's will have to answer, in relation to his price tag, this offseason. He could be non-tendered or could agree to a new deal at a lesser number.

Thornton had an ERA of 4.68 in 33 games this season, but had a 3.61 in 71 appearances in 2024.

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