The M's right-hander has struggled over the last two months are so, and the Mariners are making a change. Manager Dan Wilson spoke to the media in Toronto about that while also providing health updates on Brendan Donovan and Matt Brash.
TORONTO -- Ahead of a big series against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Seattle Mariners are making a change to their starting rotation, at least for the time being.
Speaking to the media before Game 1 of the three-game set at Rogers Centre, M's manager Dan Wilson said that Bryce Miller will not make his scheduled start on Sunday and will instead head to the bullpen.
The Mariners will send Emerson Hancock to the mound on Friday, with Kade Anderson on Saturday and Logan Gilbert on Sunday. Because of Thursday's off day, the M's were able to re-slot the rotation to get Gilbert in on Sunday.
Miller looked like the best pitcher in the M's rotation for about six weeks after coming off the injured list in mid-May, but he's slumped over his last nine starts, going 1-8 with an ERA of 6.14.
The Mariners have lost 22-0 and 19-2 in the last two games he's started.
Wilson's opening comments on Miller's situation are presented below:
What else is there to know at this time?
In no particular order:
1) Wilson believes that there's a long line of starting pitchers who have gone to the bullpen and worked their way back into form. He stressed that this decision was not permanent and it was an opportunity for Miller to get back on track.
2) There are multiple goals with Miller, though, speculatively, it will be hard to achieve all of them. Wilson made it clear that Miller was a guy who presents the Mariners with flexibility. The team would like to get him back on track, but they also value his ability to throw in long relief or in short bursts. It's hard to accomplish to everything you might want to.
If he pitches in short bursts, he won't be able to keep his pitch count up. And if he throws enough to keep his pitch count up, then he won't be used in real leverage spots, at least most of the time. Wilson indicated that there was not necessarily a defined spot for him to come in games, but rather that they would look for opportunities to get him in.
3) Wilson said that conversations like this can be difficult with players, but commended Miller's understanding of where things are at right now and his willingness to help the team.
The Mariners will play the Blue Jays on Friday afternoon at 4:15 p.m. PT. Hancock will be opposed by right-hander Dylan Cease.
Seattle is 64-70 and 3.0 games back of the American League West race. They are 4.0 games back of the wild card. Toronto is 0.5 games ahead of them.
In other news
Wilson also spoke about the health of Brendan Donovan, Cooper Criswell and Matt Brash, who are here with the team in Toronto.
Donovan is working through his progression in his return from a concussion suffered last Saturday. He's eligible to come off the 7-day concussion on Saturday, but Wilson doesn't anticipate that happening.
Brash will throw a bullpen in Toronto and then they will assess the next steps for him. The goal was for him to be back this season, and he still might be, but time is running thin. The Triple-A Tacoma season ends on Sept. 20.
"Brash, a chance to get off the mound here in Toronto, so once he gets a chance to get off the mound, we'll continue to see where he is and begin to put together a schedule for him as well..."
Criswell will make another rehab appearance on Friday and sounds like he's nearing activation. Remember, the rosters expand on Sept. 1, which is Tuesday.
Of note
The 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast has released four new episodes this week. All can be accessed here on the audio front, while all can also be watched on YouTube.
