Mariners being cautious with Miller's workload

ANAHEIM -- The term “workload management” has been a consistent theme within the Mariners’ rotation going on three years now, as a young group of promising arms continue to push past their previous innings accumulation and establish themselves as Major League starters.

It began with Logan Gilbert and George Kirby each of the past two years and was always going to continue with Bryce Miller, who will be pushed back from his scheduled start on Sunday in Anaheim and will instead pitch against the Marlins on Monday in Seattle.

Gilbert will flip his spot in the rotation and start the series finale at Angel Stadium on regular rest, a situation made possible by Seattle’s two off-days this week.

Here’s what went into the decision that might seem minor, but is significant.

Miller is coming off two stinging losses in which he was tagged for 15 earned runs on 19 hits, including three homers, over seven innings. That followed a historic stretch to begin his career, when he became the first pitcher since at least 1901 to go at least six innings and allow four hits or fewer in each of his first five career appearances.

In the Minors, where teams play series of typically six and seven games against an opponent, Miller pitched on a six- or seven-day schedule. Last year, he made only four of his 27 starts on four days’ rest. And based on the Mariners’ calendar after calling him up on May 2, he’s only pitched on a standard five-day schedule thrice in his seven outings.

“You'll find times throughout the course of the season to give him a little extra blow, give him an extra day,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “I thought it was important to do that, and it's something we discussed, organizationally, when he first got called up.”

Moreover, on an already-tough road trip in which Seattle entered Saturday’s game in Anaheim just 1-5, starting Gilbert might give them a better chance to finish on a high note and spell Miller from another potentially tough day. Gilbert last started on Tuesday in San Diego and threw seven brilliant innings.

Woo, too, at some point

Bryan Woo, who was recalled last weekend in Arlington, will probably be on an even stricter monitor. Seattle’s No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has accumulated only 103 pro innings since being selected alongside Miller in the 2021 Draft, and he didn’t debut until last June because he was recovering from Tommy John surgery at the time he was drafted. For context, Miller has 201 career innings.

Woo was also slow-played in Spring Training and made just one Cactus League appearance despite being in his first big league camp for its majority.

“There will be times that we do that with Bryan Woo also,” Servais said. “But that's where we'll line up right now and take it from there.”

The rest of the rotation depth

Like Miller, Woo earned his callup due to an incumbent’s injury, taking over for Marco Gonzales, whom Mariners GM Justin Hollander said this week will likely be out one month from the date of his May 28 injury. Miller assumed the spot of Robbie Ray, who underwent season-ending surgery last month.

The Mariners might’ve opted for an established Minor Leaguer in Gonzales’ absence -- and they still could -- but such options were limited, also due to injuries. Lefty Tommy Milone and righty Jose Rodriguez have both been on the IL at Triple-A Tacoma with shoulder discomfort, but have resumed throwing programs and could be spot start options in a week or so.

Righty Taylor Dollard, their No. 9 prospect, is dealing with a more significant shoulder impingement that will sideline him until early-to-mid July, per Hollander.

So, Woo represents the club’s best option for now, but plans could change.

“That’ll be an organizational discussion,” Hollander said about Woo’s longer-term status. “Obviously, we had Bryan start the first of those series of turns through the rotation. We’ll keep talking about those options. I think Scott referred to it as, kind of, we’ll go day to day. We think Bryan is equipped to handle this moment. Obviously, it’s a quick rise through the Minor Leagues, but he’ll be fine.”