The Mariners have scratched Bryan Woo from his start against the White Sox.
Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners throws a pitch in a 2024 game.
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners’ health story continues, with the team announcing that the right-hander will miss his planned start against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night.
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The club chose to sign left-hander Jhonathan Diaz to a minor-league contract, replacing Woo on the bump.
Mariners manager Scott Servais stated before the game that Woo did not throw his customary bullpen between starts, as he did two weeks ago before pitching six scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Servais stated that Woo was experiencing a “similar issue” to the last time he skipped his between-starts bullpen, which was previously termed as “arm stuff.” Woo had an MRI, and the team is awaiting the results.
“It’s unfortunate,” Servais explained. “Where does this leave Bryan? We will just have to wait and see. He’s getting some tests done, and physicians will check into it. We’re hoping to avoid an IL stint, but more information will be available in the next day or so. So I’m not sure when he’ll be added back to the rotation. I have no timetable or anything like that. We’re just trying to put everything together and figure out how to win the game tonight.”
Woo surpassed his career high workload in 2023, pitching 131 2/3 innings across the major and minor levels. That occurred after throwing only 57 innings in the minors in 2022.
The 24-year-old missed the first six weeks of the season due to a strained elbow that flared up during spring training, but he’s been on point since returning to the mound. Woo is 3-0 in six starts this season, with a brilliant 1.07 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 24 strikeouts, and only two walks in 33 2/3 innings thrown.
“We’re always concerned when guys can’t make a start, but he has gone through things like this before and come out just fine with it,” said Servais. “I know he’s frustrated and wants to get out there and pitch. He’s off to such a good start. He’s had six starts this year and they’ve all been great. So, again, I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves; we’ll just have to wait for further information and see where it goes from there.”
Who is Jonathan Diaz?
Diaz will make his first appearance since last season with the Angels. Over the course of three seasons with Los Angeles, the left-hander appeared in 11 games, six of which were starts. He has a 3-1 career record, 4.84 ERA, and 1.73 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings.
The 27-year-old has had an excellent start to the season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. Diaz has a 7-1 record in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, pitching 66 1/3 innings (11 starts) with a 2.98 ERA, 67 strikeouts, and 16 walks.
“You see all the different pitches from all the different arm angles,” Servais said about Diaz. “He is not a power arm. He is a finesse left-hander with a decent breaking ball and the ability to throw the changeup. He has a cutter. He has all the pitches to get you out, and he will not get you out the same manner twice in a row. He’s constantly changing it up, but he has a fantastic feel for pitching.”
Servais stated that availability influenced the decision to elevate Diaz. Emerson Hancock, who started the season in place of the injured Woo, had his final start Friday. Servais also mentioned Diaz’s fascinating quirk: he can throw right handed. Don’t expect him to pitch with his right hand, but he could make a play like this one.
Additional roster moves.
In addition to Diaz’s selection, Seattle made three other roster alterations. The Mariners called up right-handed reliever Eduard Bazardo from Tacoma and designated relievers Kirby Snead and Matt Bowman for assignment.
