Seattle Mariners Status Report: Bryce Miller's oblique issue

After a remarkably healthy year from their starting pitchers in 2024, the Seattle Mariners faced a number of injuries in their starting rotation a year ago.

And just weeks into this year’s spring camp, right-hander Bryce Miller has already been dealt with a setback.

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Miller felt soreness in his side during his first Cactus League outing last Thursday and an MRI last week revealed inflammation in his oblique. He was given a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection and was kept from throwing for two days before resuming light throwing, Mariners insider Shannon Drayer reported.

Miller was among the four M’s starters who missed time with injuries last season. He made just 18 starts and was on the injured list for two separate stints with right elbow inflammation.

So what’s the concern level for the oblique issue Miller is now dealing with? Drayer answered that question when she joined Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob on Thursday.

“If it was an elbow or a shoulder, and just even soreness with either, I would be concerned,” Drayer said. “It’s an oblique, and it’s an oblique that an MRI showed inflammation (in), and we’re not talking about a Grade 1, 2 or 3 tear. It’s this time of the year when these things tend to happen. So I think the important thing with him right now is you wait until that’s gone. You take it slowly with him. You want him to start 100%, and I think there is a decent chance that he can start at the beginning of the regular season.

“He’ll probably be in that five spot (in the starting rotation) and there are off days, so that pushes it back a little bit further. I think there is a good chance that he is there (on the opening day roster), and if not, that’s fine if he has to miss a start or maybe miss two starts. It shouldn’t take too long.”

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Drayer said Miller has resumed doing some baseball activities since the inflammation diagnosis.

“He is playing catch every day right now. He did do some dry, slow work off of the mound without a baseball (Thursday) just barely,” she said. “I think we’ll get a better idea of it once he does get the ball in his hand on the mound and does start to throw with some intent, but they’re not going to let that happen until he gets to a point where he’s feeling nothing. And I think it would appear that he’s not too concerned about it. He’s doing steady work right now.

“So this isn’t something that should linger, because this isn’t something they should let linger. They just should wait, be patient, and when it’s gone go from there.”

Hear the full conversation with Seattle Mariners insider Shannon Drayer at this link or in the audio player below. Listen to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2-7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

Seattle Mariners Status Report: Bryce Miller’s oblique issue

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