SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners were able to earn a series win and pull three games within .500 after beating the Chicago White Sox 5-4 in a game Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.

The series was a swing of emotions for the Mariners, who arguably should have swept the White Sox if not for a series of unfortunate events in Tuesday's 2-1 loss.

On the positive, Seattle has started to get healthier just days away from the one-third mark of the season.

Here's several takeaways from the M's' series win against Chicago:

When starting pitcher Bryce Miller was activated off the 15-day injured list May 13, it came with the news that after Miller's first start of the season against the Houston Astros on that same day, the Mariners would go with a piggyback approach to him and Castillo moving forward.

What that means is, every fifth day, either Castillo or Miller will start with and the other will pitch multiple innings in relief.

Tuesday was the first piggyback turn. Miller pitched 5.2 scoreless innings in which he allowed one hit and issued one walk while striking out seven batters and leaving with a 1-0 lead. Castillo took over in the seventh and pitched into the ninth inning. After walking the lead-off batter and hitting the second with a pitch, closer Andres Munoz took over and allowed back-to-back RBI singles. The runs were attributed to Castillo due to the base runners being inherited.

It's still not known whether Castillo or Miller will start the next turn through the rotation.

Castillo has a 6.41 ERA this season and has fanned 47 hitters in 46.1 innings pitched across 10 outings (nine starts). The three-time All-Star is the most experienced, highest-paid ($24.15 million salary in 2026) and arguably the most-respected pitcher in the rotation. But if the next piggyback outing fails to pan out, Seattle might have to consider a move to the bullpen.

The Mariners' top prospect, Colt Emerson (No. 6 MLB Pipeline top 100) made his major league debut during the team's series finale against the San Diego Padres on Sunday.

Emerson only had one hit in nine at-bats against the White Sox and is 1-for-11 through the first four games of his major league career.

The 20-year-old infielder's first hit was also his first home run: a three-run shot in game one against Chicago on Monday.

Emerson, who was brought up to play third base, also registered his first starts at his natural position, shortstop.

Emerson played the final two games of the series against the White Sox at shortstop. He could be set for more games at the position this season based on what happens with usual starting J.P. Crawford testing out third base.

Seattle general manager Justin Hollander already said that this major league stint for Emerson, who was called up when utility player Brendan Donovan was placed on the IL on Sunday, isn't a tryout and that the top prospect will be given a long runway.

Emerson is here to stay, and time will tell how much impact he has on a team that entered 2026 with legitimate World Series aspirations.

The Mariners have been hit hard with the injury bug this season. In the last week, both starting catcher Cal Raleigh and Donovan have landed on the IL.

Even with those key injuries, Seattle is starting to get some players back.

Third baseman Patrick Wisdom was activated off the IL the morning before the first game against Chicago. He went 1-for-7 in games two and three against the White Sox, but registered two RBIs. His second RBI came via a double he hit in the series finale Wednesday.

Right-handed high-leverage arm Matt Brash was also activated off the injured list Wednesday. He pitched the seventh inning for Seattle, struck out two and allowed one hit. He's still yet to give up an earned run this season.

Left-handed reliever Gabe Speier, who's been out since May 3 due to left shoulder inflammation, made his first rehab outing with the High-A Everett AquaSox on Wednesday. He struck out two and allowed three earned runs on three hits (two home runs) in one inning of work.

The Mariners are off on Thursday before starting a new series with the Kansas City Royals on Friday.

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