The Mariners ace will get some bullpen work before the beginning of the American League Divisional Series
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will have home field advantage in the American League Divisional Series-round of the playoffs for the first time since 2001 this upcoming weekend. The Mariners will host either the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Guardians in the ALDS at either 1:08 p.m. PT or 5:38 p.m. PT on Saturday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
For most of September, the assumption would be that, wherever the Mariners land in the postseason, 2025 All-Star Bryan Woo would be the starting pitcher to open the playoffs. An injury threw a wrench into those plans.
Woo exited his last start against the Houston Astros on Sept. 19 due to right pectoral inflammation, and has been managing the ailment since. He missed the final two series of the regular season against the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The reports about Woo's recovery have been positive, and there hasn't been any news of setbacks.
According to Seattle manager Dan Wilson, Woo will throw a bullpen before the team's second intersquad scrimmage Thursday. His status for the ALDS is still in doubt.
"You take (everything in consideration)," Wilson said in a news conference before a scrimmage Wednesday. "That includes thinking about what the playoff roster might look like, as well. Lots of different factors to take into account. And I think that is an advantage to having this week, is to see how things play out with opponents with where you are as a club, all the different things that come into play. ... We'll continue to do that as (Woo) progresses."
If the Mariners are comfortable with Woo starting after one bullpen/mound session, the likely return would be Game 2 of the ALDS on Sunday. If Seattle chooses to go with two mound/bullpen sessions, Woo would likely return for Game 3 of the ALDS, which would be on the road.
Woo has posted a 2.94 ERA this season with 198 strikeouts in 186.2 innings pitched across 30 starts. His amount of starts, innings and strikeouts were all career-highs.
Wilson said the team will announce the weekend starters for the ALDS closer to Friday.
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