The high-leverage hurler is ready to help his team to the ultimate goal this season after a lost 2024
DETROIT — In Oct. 2024, the Seattle Mariners were watching the playoffs from home after falling one game shy of the postseason. And one of the best relievers on the bullpen was still working his way back from a major injury.
Right-handed reliever Matt Brash missed all of 2024 just one season after leading the major leagues in appearances (78) in '23. Brash began '24 on the injured list and underwent Tommy John surgery last May.
The original timeline after Brash's surgery had him returning around the All-Star break. He returned ahead of schedule and made his season debut May 3.
Brash quickly regained his foothold as the Mariners' set-up man for All-Star closer Andres Munoz and as a go-to arm in high leverage spots.
Brash finished the regular season with a 2.47 ERA and struck out 58 batters in 47.1 innings pitched across 53 appearances.
"It's been quite the journey," Brash said in a pregame news conference Wednesday. "This time last year, I was still in Arizona going through my throwing program. I'm just super grateful. Taking each day one at a time and just happy to be back helping this team win games. This is everyone's favorite time of the year. It's just been really exciting getting back in there."
Brash was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres. He was acquired by Seattle in a trade on Sept. 17, 2020.
Brash made his major league debut for the Mariners in 2022 and was a contributor on the roster that snapped the franchise's 21-year playoff drought that year. Brash had three outings in the '22 postseason and didn't allow a run. He fanned four batters in 3.1 innings pitched and didn't give up a hit or a free base.
Brash is one of many players on the 2025 squad that was on the '22 team. And there's a stark change in those players' mindsets this season compared to three years ago.
"I feel like last time we just kind of got a taste and didn't really know what to expect," Brash said. "I feel like this year, we are here to win it all. We're not just here to win a series or make it to the next step. We're here to win a World Series. I feel like this roster is built to to that. ... I feel like we just have that confidence to us that we're in every game. We're always gonna pitch well, but our hitters are there to pick us up and get that next run, which is huge in postseason. Just feel like we're such a complete team and I feel like we're playing like it."
Entering Wednesday, Brash has pitched in all three of Seattle's postseason games. He's fanned five, walked two and allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit in 2.2 innings pitched.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson has reaffirmed that it's "all hands on deck" this postseason. Brash will continue to get opportunities the deeper the franchise goes into the postseason. And if the team's mindset Brash described is predictive of the club's fate, he'll have several more chances to make a major impact.
Game 4 of an American League Divisional Series between Seattle and the Detroit Tigers begins at 12:08 p.m. PT/3:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Comerica Park in Detroit. If the Mariners win, they'll advance to the American League Divisional Series. If the Tigers win, the two sides will play a series-deciding Game 5 on Friday at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
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