Most fans were hoping to see the Mariners ditch the idea, but they aren't ready to do that.
On Saturday, I wrote that I thought it was time for the Seattle Mariners to end the "piggyback" situation involving Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo.
Of course, the M's have only done it once, but I'm already ready for it to be over, and for the team to send Castillo to the bullpen full time, though I'm not really a fan of that either.
Speaking before a game on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals, manager Dan Wilson announced that the M's are going to bring back the piggyback on Monday against the Athletics, though this time they will do it with a twist: Castillo will start.
What's really going on here?
As I've told you before, the piggyback situation makes sense on a lot of levels.
1) It keeps both players' pitch counts up and allows them both to function as starters again should a member of the rotation get hurt.
2) It shows respect to Castillo, who has been an excellent Mariners pitcher since 2022, and gives him a meaningful avenue to contribute, rather than relegating him to mop-up duty in the bullpen.
3) It helps Miller stay healthy, as he's dealt with injuries in each of the last two seasons, by not overdoing his pitch count too early.
4) The problems exist in that Miller is the better pitcher of the two right now, and he's the one drawing the short end of the stick. On Tuesday night against the White Sox, he was removed after allowing just one hit in 5.2 innings, and on Monday, he'll come into the game in relief, and there's no telling what the situation will be.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller (50) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park. Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesThing to worry about
The organization has to wonder at this point how the players are feeling about all this. How does Castillo feel about being yo-yo'd back and forth? How does Miller feel, when it should be clear to him that he's a true starting pitcher option right now? And how does the rest of the clubhouse feel knowing that the piggyback is potentially impacting the team's ability to win more games at a time when it needs it?
Up next
The Mariners will send Bryan Woo to the mound on Sunday against the Royals with the first pitch at 11:10 a.m. PT. They'll go to West Sacramento, Calif. on Monday for the opening of the series with the A's.
The M's are 25-28 entering play on Sunday.
Of note
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