Why Was Bryce Miller in Bullpen in Wednesday's Game?

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners were unable to secure a series sweep against the Philadelphia Phillies after falling 6-0 in the finale Wednesday at T-Mobile Park.

Despite the loss, the Mariners had an overall successful homestand, finishing 4-2 and securing series wins over the Phillies and Chicago Cubs, both teams in the playoff picture in the National League.

During the game, an interesting development occurred that could have potential impact on the rest of the regular season for Seattle.

Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo threw 55 pitches in the first two innings of the game and was eventually pulled after four innings of work.

During the game, fellow starting pitcher Bryce Miller made his way from the dugout to the bullpen.

The decision came on the heels of weeks of speculation that Seattle could consider moving Miller to the bullpen due to his second-half struggles and the recent major league debut of the team's top pitching prospect, Kade Anderson.

According to Mariners manager Dan Wilson, the decision to have Miller head to the bullpen was simply specific to the situation and the game and not necessarily a sign of things to come.

"That was really something in case we didn't have a ton of coverage (from the bullpen) today," Wilson said in a postgame interview Wednesday. "Because it's a day where he throws on the side, it might have been something that would have worked out. But obviously, didn't need to do that today."

Miller echoed those sentiments in a postgame interview, saying that, as far as he was told, the possibility was due to the bullpen being depleted and the uncertainty if Woo would be able to go deep into the game due to a shoulder injury he suffered against the Houston Astros on Aug. 16, which pushed back his start from the weekend series against the Cubs.

Even if Miller being in the bullpen was specific to Wednesday, there's reason for Seattle to make the move an extended one for the rest of the season.

With Anderson up in the major leagues and injured relievers Cooper Criswell and Matt Brash nearing a return, it would likely benefit the Mariners down the stretch to have a full bullpen and a traditional five-man starting rotation as to not overwork the relievers.

Miller is the likeliest candidate to move to the bullpen due to his struggles in the second half of the season. He's posted a 7.18 ERA and has struck out 27 batters in 36.1 innings pitched across seven starts since the All-Star Break.