Seattle Mariners’ New Bullpen Addition to Start Season on Injured List

The Seattle Mariners had high hopes for reliever Gregory Santos, whom they acquired this offseason to bolster their bullpen. However, Santos will unfortunately begin the season on the injured list due to a setback in his recovery from a lat issue.

According to Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710, Santos experienced discomfort in his lat area during a bullpen session, prompting an MRI that revealed a mild lat strain. As a result, he will not be available for Opening Day.

Santos had been dealing with the lat issue prior to this setback, and his placement on the injured list is a significant setback for the Mariners’ bullpen plans. The team had acquired Santos from the Chicago White Sox in a trade involving several minor leaguers, hoping he would contribute alongside pitchers like Andres Munoz and Matt Brash to form a formidable back-end of the bullpen. However, with both Brash and Santos sidelined, the Mariners will need to reassess their bullpen depth.

The 24-year-old Santos made his MLB debut in 2021 with the San Francisco Giants and has since posted a 2-4 record with a 4.00 ERA at the major league level. Last season, he recorded five saves while serving as the White Sox closer.

With Santos and Brash out, the Mariners’ bullpen situation becomes less certain. While Munoz, Gabe Speier, Tayler Saucedo, Austin Voth, and Trent Thornton likely have secured spots, the remaining bullpen roles are up for grabs. Carlos Vargas, another hard-throwing pitcher acquired by the Mariners this offseason, may now have an opportunity to contribute.

Despite these challenges, the Mariners are focused on returning to the playoffs after narrowly missing out last season with an 88-74 record. Their last postseason appearance was in 2022, and they are eager to make a strong push this year.