BREAKING: Andres Munoz Gives Positive Update on Injured Back

After leaving Tuesday night's game with a back injury, Seattle Mariners' closer Andres Munoz has given an update, telling reports he feels much better on Wednesday. Here's what else he had to say:

May 15, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz (75) works from the stretch during a game against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports / Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Update, 5:15 p.m. PT: According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Munoz has met with reporters and says he feels better today, though he doesn't anticipate pitching for a few days.

Muñoz just spoke with a small group here, and he says he’s feeling much better today. Hopes to be available in the next couple days. He’s been managing the lower back injury since the second game of the season. https://t.co/l8LFhxhOfJ

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) June 6, 2024

Update, 5:00 p.m. PT: According to Shannon Drayer, the Mariners are still awaiting the MRI results from Munoz. He is on the field in Oakland, in uniform, but there is no official update from him.

Munoz out in the pen (not throwing) pregame, we did not get a chance to talk to him. Mariners awaiting the results of his MRI. pic.twitter.com/9yj0LKh4aJ

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 5, 2024

Furthermore, Daniel Kramer said the M's don't anticipate making a roster move today.

No update yet on Andrés Muñoz, who is currently getting treatment, but word is that the Mariners don’t anticipate making a roster move today.

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 5, 2024

It's good to see that Munoz isn't instantly going on the injured list, but the fact that the team hasn't come out and said "he's fine" still paints a worrisome picture. It seems highly unlikely that he pitches in Wednesday's game, and the M's will be lucky if that's all he misses.

WED A.M: The Seattle Mariners are still awaiting official word on the status of closer Andres Munoz, who left Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Oakland Athletics with an injury in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Munoz was injured trying to cover the plate after throwing a wild pitch that scored a run. At the time, it appeared that Munoz hurt his ankle, but after the game we learned that Munoz is dealing with a back issue.

Per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com:

Andrés Muñoz has been dealing with a lower back issue, which flared up during the collision. Scott Servais said that he’ll undergo an MRI.

Andrés Muñoz has been dealing with a lower back issue, which flared up during the collision. Scott Servais said that he’ll undergo an MRI.

— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) June 5, 2024

After the collision at the plate, Munoz threw one warmup pitch and then removed himself from the game. He was seen walking, generally comfortably, back to the clubhouse. Tayler Saucedo finished out the game by getting the last out.

Kramer added that Munoz didn't want to talk after the game and would wait until results of an MRI come back on Wednesday, but this is a worrisome development for the M's.

Already without Matt Brash (season) and Gregory Santos (until at least July), the M's bullpen has been kind of a deck of cards this season. Munoz has been the anchor down there, going 2-2 with a 1.73 ERA. He has 12 saves and should contend for an All-Star spot this year.

The Mariners can ill-afford to lose him but given how problematic back injuries can be, it wouldn't be a shock to see him take a few days off - at least.

We'll have more when the MRI results are known...

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