Bryan Woo to Miss ALDS
The Seattle Mariners’ star pitcher, Bryan Woo, will not be on the team’s roster for the American League Division Series, it has been confirmed. This decision is a clear indication that Woo has not fully recovered from his pectoral injury.
The Mariners will have George Kirby and Luis Castillo as starters for the first two games against the Detroit Tigers. Logan Gilbert is expected to be the starter in Game 3, which will be played away. Woo’s absence means that Bryce Miller will assume the role of fourth member of the rotation for the best-of-five series, although he could also be used from the bullpen.
Woo, 25, had a standout season, with a 15-7 record and a 2.94 ERA in 30 starts. However, he had to leave his September 19 start in Houston after some warm-up pitches at the start of the sixth inning, being diagnosed with right pectoral inflammation. The Mariners, who won the American League West Division for the first time in 24 years and earned a bye to the first round, hoped Woo could recover for the start of the playoffs, but he will miss at least the first round.
Woo completed a high-intensity bullpen session and then pitched a simulated inning against Mariners hitters. Afterwards, he expressed optimism about his progress, stating: “I’m still not where I want to be in terms of game speed. But as for how everything has progressed, I’m happy, considering that a week ago I wasn’t even throwing. And in a week, I hope we’ll be in a better situation.”
The Mariners hope to have Woo for the American League Championship Series, should they advance.
