Mariners' Bryan Woo Takes a Big Step in Injury Recovery on Wednesday and Thursday

We heard over the weekend that the Seattle Mariners' feel that starting pitcher Bryan Woo will be able to make a start before the All-Star break. On Wednesday and Thursday, that thought moved closer to reality.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on June 6. / D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Over the weekend, we heard that the Seattle Mariners feel that starting pitcher Bryan Woo will be able to make a start at the major league level before the All-Star break. He's been on the injured list since last week after straining his hamstring in a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

On Wednesday night, that thought moved closer to reality as Woo threw a bullpen on the field at T-Mobile Park.

Per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times on social media:

Bryan Woo is throwing off the mound in the bullpen at roughly 80% effort. Appears to be throwing comfortably.

Bryan Woo is throwing off the mound in the bullpen at roughly 80% effort. Appears to be throwing comfortably.

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) July 3, 2024

That's certainly great news for both Woo and the team, as he's a vital part of what the Mariners do on the mound. Through seven starts this year, he has an impressive 1.77 ERA. However, injuries have unfortunately been part of the story for Woo's career. Though he just made his debut a season ago, he's already been on the injured list twice for elbow inflammation and now with the hamstring strain.

There was more great news surrounding the Seattle starter in a pregame interview with manager Scott Servais on Thursday. Servais said that Woo will received one, possibly two rehab assignments with the Mariners' High-A affiliate Everett AquaSox "in a few days."

"He will throw another rehab outing, that will also probably be with Everett, possibly here this weekend," Servais said on Thursday. "... He came out of his last outing, felt great the next day. Certainly not ready to go back-to-back days yet, but we'll reevaluate where he's at after the next (rehab assignment).

If he can make one start before the break, that will give the team a chance to utilize his skillset, but will also allow him time during the All-Star break to recouperate more for the second half.

If Woo is not ready to take the mound again before the break, expect Emerson Hancock to get the call from Triple-A in his place.

The Mariners are now 47-41 on the season and have lost 10 of 14 games. They'll try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Orioles on Thursday as they play at 1:10 p.m. PT.

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