Bryan Woo Left Off Mariners ALDS Roster Due to Injury Recovery

Bryan Woo, the Mariners' All-Star Starter, Is Left Off ALDS Roster Due To Ongoing Injury

The Seattle Mariners have announced their roster for the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Detroit Tigers, notably excluding their young ace pitcher, Bryan Woo, due to ongoing recovery from a pectoral injury. This decision signals that Woo, despite showing positive progress, is not yet ready to take the mound in the postseason. The Mariners plan for him to possibly return for the AL Championship Series (ALCS) if they advance.

Key Points:

• Bryan Woo, 25, was left off the Mariners' ALDS roster because of right pectoral inflammation sustained on September 19.
• Starting pitchers for Games 1 and 2 will be George Kirby and Luis Castillo, with Logan Gilbert expected to start Game 3.
• Bryce Miller has been added as the fourth starter or bullpen option to compensate for Woo’s absence.
• Josh Naylor remains on the ALDS roster but may leave temporarily due to the imminent birth of his first child and be replaced by options including Eugenio Suarez and rookie Ben Williamson.
• Woo is optimistic about recovering arm strength and aims to return by the ALCS scheduled for October 12, pending further progress.

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Detailed Analysis of Mariners' Roster Decisions and Bryan Woo’s Recovery

Woo’s Injury and Absence From ALDS Roster

Bryan Woo, who emerged as a breakout star for the Mariners in the 2025 season, has not pitched since September 19 due to inflammation in his right pectoral muscle. Woo had been a dominant force on the mound, finishing the regular season with a 15-7 record, a 2.94 ERA, and leading the franchise in career ERA among pitchers with at least 70 starts. His injury occurred early in the sixth inning against the Houston Astros, where he was delivering a strong performance.

Despite the Mariners’ hopes that Woo could recover in time for the playoffs—after winning the American League West for the first time in 24 years and securing a first-round bye—his rehabilitation has progressed cautiously. During a bullpen session on a Thursday prior to the playoffs, Woo threw a simulated inning and noted he was still regaining game-speed intensity. The club’s medical and pitching staff have been optimistic but have decided to withhold him from the ALDS roster “out of caution,” according to manager Dan Wilson.

Pitching Rotation Without Woo

With Woo sidelined, Game 1 starter George Kirby and Game 2 starter Luis Castillo are tasked with leading the rotation against the Detroit Tigers. Logan Gilbert, who posted a 6-6 record with a 3.44 ERA this season and has experience pitching effectively against Detroit, is expected to start Game 3 on the road. Bryce Miller, a pitcher who has dealt with elbow issues during the year, is poised to serve either as a fourth starter if needed or bolster the bullpen effort in this short five-game series.

Wilson remained tight-lipped on full pitching strategies beyond the opening games, intending to keep opponents uncertain. The Mariners will weigh Miller’s usage carefully, as he may require rest depending on how the series unfolds.

Plans For Woo’s Potential Return in ALCS

The Mariners' management remain hopeful that Woo will recover sufficiently to contribute in the ALCS, which begins on October 12 against the winner of the Blue Jays-Yankees series. Woo threw about 15 pitches at 80-90% intensity in recent workouts and plans to incrementally build toward full strength. The team recognizes the importance of not rushing Woo, given the high physical demands on starting pitchers and the potential for setbacks with premature returns.

“Considering that a week ago I wasn't even throwing yet, and then hopefully a week from now we will be in a better spot,” Woo said, projecting optimism about his rehab timeline.

Impact of Josh Naylor’s Potential Absence

Offensively, the Mariners are dealing with another variable: Josh Naylor, their key first baseman who started in Game 1 batting fourth. Naylor and his wife Chantel Collado are expecting the birth of their first child any day in Arizona. The Mariners are prepared to place him on MLB’s paternity list, which allows a player to be absent for one to three days during the postseason without penalty and enables a temporary roster replacement.

Manager Dan Wilson noted the need for roster flexibility and has taken steps to bolster depth at first base by working infielders Eugenio Suarez and Luke Raley with infield coach Perry Hill, as well as activating rookie third baseman Ben Williamson, who was a key player for much of the first half of the season before being traded for Naylor.

Wilson emphasized versatility as a team strength, with Suarez able to pinch-hit at first base and Raley or Williamson capable of manning third base depending on Naylor’s availability.

Mariners’ Season and Woo’s Breakout Year

Woo’s breakthrough season was an important factor in the Mariners’ success. Selected to his first All-Star game this year, Woo pitched 30 starts, threw a career-high 186.2 innings, and amassed 198 strikeouts with a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.927. His consistent performance helped the Mariners clinch a division title and provided the team with a formidable rotation leader before his injury.

Additionally, the Mariners boasted five All-Stars, including closer Andrés Muñoz, catcher Cal Raleigh, center fielder Julio Rodríguez, and left fielder Randy Arozarena, underscoring the team’s strong roster depth.

Looking Ahead: ALDS and Beyond

Seattle opened the ALDS at home in a sold-out T-Mobile Park, facing the Detroit Tigers with a focus on quick starts from Kirby and Castillo. With Joseph Naylor’s possible temporary absence and Woo’s ongoing recovery, the Mariners have arranged a strategic and adaptable roster to face the challenges ahead.

While the team celebrated a thrilling 15-inning 3-2 win in one of the ALDS games, they are fully aware that playoff success hinges not only on current depth but also on Woo’s timely return. If Woo recovers on schedule, he could play a crucial role in the championship series, providing Seattle with a highly effective ace who had been among the best pitchers in the American League.

Managerial Considerations and Player Development

Manager Dan Wilson continues to emphasize prudence and calculated decisions regarding Woo’s usage, balancing the need for immediate results with preserving the pitcher’s health for the longer postseason run. The coaching staff’s commitment to training versatile players like Suarez, and leveraging bench assets like Williamson, reflect a comprehensive approach to roster management under uncertainty.

Conclusion

The Mariners enter the 2025 postseason with strong aspirations fueled by a talented and deep roster but face the immediate challenge of overcoming the Detroit Tigers without Bryan Woo’s services in the Division Series. Woo’s status remains a focal point for Seattle’s postseason strategy, with hopes pinned on his recovery for the AL Championship Series. Meanwhile, the team’s adaptable roster and strategic planning, alongside key players stepping up, aim to keep their championship dreams alive after a historic division title.

Questions and answers

Q: Why is Bryan Woo not on Mariners ALDS roster?

A: Bryan Woo is not on the Mariners' ALDS roster due to injury concerns that have prevented him from being cleared to play. The team has opted to exclude him to ensure they have fully healthy pitchers available for the high-stakes playoff games. His absence reflects the Mariners' strategy to rely on fully fit players in their postseason pitching staff.

Q: Seattle Mariners pitching rotation for ALDS

A: The Seattle Mariners' pitching rotation for the ALDS typically features their top starters who have proven consistency throughout the regular season. The rotation often includes pitchers like Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, and key bullpen arms for relief roles. The Mariners focus on maximizing their pitching depth and versatility to target success in the playoff series.

Q: Bryan Woo injury update 2025

A: As of 2025, Bryan Woo has been recovering from a recent injury that sidelined him for a portion of the season. The latest updates indicate he is progressing in rehab but has not yet returned to full game action. Medical staff and team management are cautiously optimistic about his return but have not provided a definitive timeline.

Q: Mariners roster changes for playoffs

A: The Mariners generally adjust their roster for the playoffs by emphasizing experienced players, strong bullpen arms, and versatile position players to handle the intensity of postseason games. They often trim down to a more specialized group, sometimes leaving out injured or less consistent players, to maximize their chance of success. These changes reflect strategic decisions to improve both offense and defense under playoff conditions.

Q: When will Bryan Woo return from injury?

A: Bryan Woo's return from injury is expected sometime during the 2025 season, but an exact date has not been officially announced. The Mariners' medical team is monitoring his rehabilitation progress closely, balancing recovery time with the need to avoid re-injury. Fans and the team remain hopeful for his return to pitching within the coming months when he is medically cleared.

Key Entities

Bryan Woo: Bryan Woo is a Seattle Mariners pitcher who earned a spot on the Opening Day roster as a rookie in 2023. He was called up to replace pitcher George Kirby, highlighting his role in the Mariners' pitching staff.

Seattle Mariners: The Seattle Mariners are a Major League Baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. In 2023, the Mariners started the season with Bryan Woo on their roster and made pitching changes involving George Kirby and other players.

Detroit Tigers: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. They were involved in a player trade that sent pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to the Mariners, affecting Seattle's pitching lineup.

George Kirby: George Kirby is a right-handed pitcher for the Seattle Mariners known for his promising career start. He was removed from the Mariners' rotation in early April 2023, resulting in Bryan Woo taking his place.

Dan Wilson: Dan Wilson is a former Seattle Mariners catcher and current special assistant within the Mariners organization. He has played a role in the team’s player development and operational decisions.

External articles

• Mariners ace Bryan Woo makes first appearance since injury
• Mariners Announce Bryan Woo Update Before Crucial ...
• Mariners leave All-Star starter Bryan Woo off ALDS roster

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