Mariners' injury updates & roster moves
This page will be updated throughout the offseason to track all of the Mariners' moves, along with the progress of any injured players.
LATEST NEWS
Nov. 4: RHP Blas Castano selected from Triple-A Tacoma; RHP Matt Brash, RHP Jackson Kowar and UTL Sam Haggerty reinstated from 60-day injured list
The Mariners made a few housekeeping transactions after the five-day quiet period following the World Series, adding three players back to the 40-man roster from the 60-day IL and selecting an intriguing righty from the Minors.
Castano, 26, made 29 appearances (26 starts) between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma in 2024, going 5-8 with a 4.38 ERA in 125 1/3 innings, with 43 walks and 108 strikeouts. The Espaillat, Dominican Republic, native has come a long way since being released by the Yankees in the middle of the 2023 then signing a Minor League contract with the Mariners on Aug. 11 of that year. In 112 career Minors games (83 starts), Castano is 24-35 with a 4.28 ERA with 156 walks and 412 strikeouts.
Brash (Tommy John surgery), Kowar (Tommy John surgery) and Haggerty (torn right Achilles) each suffered season-ending injuries in 2024 and had been on the 60-day IL since their respective procedures.
INJURY UPDATES
RHP Matt Brash (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: June 2025
Brash, who underwent Tommy John surgery on May 8, rejoined the Mariners in Seattle during the second week of September to begin ramping up his throwing program more. It was his second visit with the club, after joining his teammates in early August to work with the club's high-performance staff and connect with pitching coach Pete Woodworth and director of pitching strategy Trent Blank. Brash's surgery ended his 2024 season, three months after initially experiencing soreness during his second bullpen session in Spring Training. Brash had the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow repaired and a brace installed, which has typically allowed patients to begin physical therapy sooner. That's why the Mariners are hopeful Brash can return in 12 months, potentially as soon as June 2025. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
OF/UTL Sam Haggerty (torn right Achilles)
Expected return: May 2025
Haggerty tore his right Achilles on May 18, in his second game after getting optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma, and he underwent surgery with Dr. Albert O. Gee at the University of Washington the following week. He then departed for Arizona shortly after to transition his recovery there. Before leaving Seattle, Haggerty mentioned in passing that his timeline would be around 12 months if all goes well with his subsequent rehab. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
RHP Jackson Kowar (right UCL surgery)
Expected return: 2025
The former first-round Draft pick was among the leading candidates to win a bullpen spot before suffering the injury in his second Cactus League outing and then undergoing Tommy John surgery. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
MINOR LEAGUE INJURIES
RHP Teddy McGraw (arm flexor); *No. 14 on Mariners' Top Prospects list*
The 2023 third-round Draft pick met with Dr. Keith Meister in early September after experiencing tightness in his pitching arm during an Aug. 22 outing for Single-A Modesto. Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said at the time that Meister and McGraw were still evaluating options. "We are concerned" about McGraw's status, the GM said. The 22-year-old McGraw has undergone Tommy John surgery twice, which itself creates more elevated concern. (Last updated: Sept. 29)
SS Felnin Celesten (season-ending left hamate surgery); *No. 5 on Mariners' Top Prospects list, No. 66 overall*
Celesten underwent the surgery shortly after the All-Star break after experiencing multiple setbacks with a left wrist injury. After further inspection, doctors discovered that the prolonged pain was related to an old injury to his hamate. But Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said in early September that Celesten could begin baseball activities soon. The development ended Celesten's season due to an injury for the second straight year, after he was sidelined at the end of 2023 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He wound up playing in 32 games in '24, all at the Arizona Complex League, where he slashed .352/.431/.568 (.999 OPS) with three homers, four triples, 10 doubles, five stolen bases, 27 RBIs, 18 walks and 28 strikeouts in 144 plate appearances. (Last updated: Sept. 29)