Seattle Mariners News

Seattle Mariners executive vice president and general manager of baseball operations Justin Hollander announced on Thursday that the team declined their $6.075 million 2027 club option on right-hander Bryce Miller, but he remains under contract with the team through the 2029 season. Miller will receive a $15,000 buyout as part of a one-year deal that guaranteed $2.452 million. He is eligible for salary arbitration as well. He did not make his debut with the team in 2026 until May 13 due to a strained left oblique and went 4-10 with a 4.17 ERA in 21 starts and one relief appearance for Seattle in his fourth year in the big leagues. It was a second straight disappointing season for Miller after he had a career-worst 5.68 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 74:34 K:BB in 90 1/3 innings across 18 starts in his third year in 2025. He is trying to recapture the form that saw him post a career-best 2.94 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 171:45 K:BB in his 31 starts in 2024. Miller had his worst stretch in the majors in 2026 and was demoted back to the minors in August. With Emerson Hancock now a rotation member and young lefty Kade Anderson in the mix, Miller could be the odd man out for a rotation spot to begin next season.

The Seattle Mariners announced on Thursday that they exercised their $9 million 2027 club option on right-handed closer Andres Munoz. The 27-year-old agreed to a four-year, $7.5 million contract with the Mariners in December of 2021 that included three club options. He was an All-Star in both 2024 and 2025 and had a $7 million salary this year under the first option while going 5-6 with a career-worst 4.24 ERA, 28 saves in 38 chances, and 89 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings pitched. Seattle has a $10 million option for 2028 that would increase by $250,000 each for 20, 30, 40, and 45 games finished in 2027. Despite Munoz's not-so-great 2026 campaign, he will open the 2027 season as Seattle's primary closer after saving 101 games for the team since the start of the 2023 campaign. Although Munoz had a career-high 4.24 ERA (3.35 FIP) in 2026, he still managed a strong 37.1% strikeout rate in his seventh year in the big leagues and should remain a coveted closing option in fantasy baseball leagues going into next season without much competition in the ninth inning.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand writes that right-handed reliever Andres Munoz's $8 million club option for the 2027 season seems likely to be picked up, as he remains a key piece of their bullpen. Munoz was an All-Star closer for the Mariners in both 2024 and 2025, but he struggled this past season, converting only 24 of his 32 save chances while posting a 4.28 ERA. The 27-year-old Mexican hurler also went 5-6 in his seventh year in the majors with a 1.22 WHIP with 89 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 57 1/3 innings pitched in his 61 total appearances. To top things off in 2026, the M's placed Munoz on the 15-day injured list to end his season early at the end of September with inflammation in his right knee. He should be fully recovered from that injury to start spring training next year, and he should be a lock to open the 2027 campaign as Seattle's primary closer unless he gets injured or really struggles in spring training. Munoz had 22 saves in 2024 and then followed it up with a career-high 38 saves and a 1.73 ERA in 64 relief appearances in 2025.

The Seattle Mariners announced that first baseman Josh Naylor (wrist) underwent surgery on his right wrist on Saturday. Naylor is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of 2027 Spring Training. The 29-year-old had a down year in 2026, hitting .261/.317/.350 with 10 home runs, 57 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases across 650 plate appearances. Naylor's 4.4% barrel rate and 35.5% hard-hit rate were both his worst marks since the shortened 2020 season. If Naylor was battling discomfort in his wrist for a chunk of the year, it could help explain why his numbers regressed across the board. Assuming Naylor is able to make a full recovery ahead of 2027, he could be worth buying low on in fantasy drafts.

The Seattle Mariners announced that catcher Cal Raleigh (shoulder) underwent left-shoulder surgery on Saturday. Raleigh is expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of 2027 Spring Training. After finishing second in the American League MVP vote in 2025, Raleigh's numbers crashed back down to earth in 2026. Across 530 plate appearances, the 29-year-old hit .182/.296/.368 with 23 home runs, 69 RBI, 49 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Raleigh spent time on the injured list during the year due to an oblique strain, and it appears he may have been battling a shoulder ailment for some or most of the season as well. As long as Raleigh can recover on schedule, he could be in line for a bounce-back season with improved health in 2027.

Seattle Mariners rookie left-hander Kade Anderson (forearm) had X-rays come back negative after he was hit by a comebacker on his left forearm in his start on Saturday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Anderson and the Mariners avoided a significant scare in Anderson's final start of what has been a stellar debut season in the professional ranks. Before leaving after 3 1/3 innings of work at T-Mobile Park, Anderson did not allow a run on four hits while walking just one and striking out four to lower his season ERA to 3.79. The 22-year-old former third overall pick from LSU was as dominant as they come in the minors in 2026 before being called up to join Seattle's big-league starting rotation late in the year. In his seven starts for the M's, Anderson went 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings pitched. He dominated at Double-A Arkansas, posting a 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 135:13 K:BB in 18 starts over 93 1/3 frames. Anderson is one of the best young arms in all of baseball and should have a rotation spot locked up to begin the 2027 campaign.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz (knee) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Friday, Ryan Divish reports. Munoz hasn't pitched since Sunday and now goes to the shelf due to right knee inflammation. His inconsistent 2026 season will now come to an end with a few games left in the regular season. He'll finish the season with a 4.24 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and an 89/24 K/BB ratio with 28 saves across 57.2 innings of work. The expectation is that Jose A. Ferrer and Seranthony Dominguez will work in save situations over the final few days of the regular season. Fantasy managers should expect Munoz to be back in the closer role and fully healthy for the start of next season.

Across 182 innings (31 starts) in 2026, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert has recorded a 12-11 record with a 3.81 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 197 strikeouts. While Gilbert has still been a very useful pitcher for fantasy managers, he hasn't been quite as dominant this season as he has been in his peak years. After posting a 32.3% strikeout rate in 2025, Gilbert's strikeout rate has fallen to 26.7% in 2026. The 29-year-old's numbers have taken a considerable hit lately, as he's posted a 6.65 ERA across 21 2/3 innings in September. Surrendering the long ball has been a major issue for Gilbert in the second half of the season. Across 56 1/3 innings (10 starts) since the beginning of August, Gilbert has allowed 14 home runs (2.20 HR/9). Heading into his final scheduled start of 2026 against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for the usually dependable Gilbert.

Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz (knee) "should be ok" and could be available to his team on Tuesday night after undergoing an MRI on his injured knee, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710. Munoz was pulled from his most recent appearance on Sunday after tweaking his right knee, but he appears to have avoided serious injury. It's been a disappointing year overall for the 27-year-old, who has recorded a 4.24 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 89 strikeouts, and 28 saves across 57 1/3 innings (61 games). Munoz has struggled with home runs (1.41 HR/9) and has blown a career-high 10 saves. However, the hard-throwing right-hander is still averaging 99.7 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged an elite 37.1% strikeout rate. Heading into 2027, Munoz could be an excellent buy-low candidate for fantasy managers.

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Ryan Sloan spent all season at Double-A Arkansas and showed off why he is a highly regarded prospect for the Mariners. Sloan started 22 games for the Arkansas Travelers and compiled a 4-4 record with 128 strikeouts in 101 1/3 innings with a 3.73 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. At age 20, Sloan had a nice season at the Double-A level and displayed why he is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Seattle system. He has a 60-grade fastball and changeup combination with a 55-grade secondary pitch in his slider. Sloan could use another year in the minors potentially but also could push the Mariners to promote him to the major leagues. It will be interesting to see how his development progresses next year. He could be worth a draft selection next year with an outside shot of making his MLB debut at some point in 2027.

Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz (knee) tweaked his right knee during his team's 2-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and will undergo imaging on Monday, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Munoz allowed a hit, a walk, and an earned run across 1/3 of an inning before being removed from the game. It's been a disappointing year for Munoz, who has pitched to a 4.24 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 10 blown saves across 57 1/3 innings (61 games). Munoz's underlying metrics suggest he's pitched better than his results, as he's logged an outstanding 37.6% strikeout rate and a 3.06 FIP. However, Munoz has allowed an elevated batting average on balls in play (.319) and HR/9 (1.41), and could now be looking at missed time. If Munoz is sidelined, Mariners left-hander Jose A. Ferrer and right-hander Seranthony Dominguez could both see save opportunities for Seattle.

Across 492 plate appearances in 2026, Seattle Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone is hitting .257/.327/.481 with 22 home runs, 69 RBI, 55 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The lefty slugger opened the year as a big-side platoon bat, but he's held his own against left-handed pitching this season with an .833 OPS. As a result, Canzone has worked his way into everyday playing time in the heart of the Mariners lineup. The 29-year-old's underlying contact metrics support his production, as he's posted a 12.1% barrel rate and a 44.8% hard-hit rate. He's also limited his swing-and-miss, logging a manageable 21.5% strikeout rate. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Canzone profiles as a steady source of power and run production for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz has had a down year in 2026, recording a 4.25 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 86 strikeouts across 55 innings (58 games). Munoz's underlying numbers remain very strong, as he's averaged 99.7 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted an elite 37.4% strikeout rate. However, the 27-year-old's HR/9 has skyrocketed to 1.31, and he's blown a career-worst 10 saves. Between his issues with command (10% walk rate) and his penchant for giving up the long ball, Munoz has been prone to blow-up outings in 2026. His most recent appearance on Sunday was one such outing, as he allowed two earned runs across 2/3 of an inning to take the loss against the Athletics. Munoz remains a must-start closer for fantasy managers, but he never quite discovered his peak form this season.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Lazaro Montes (hip) returned to his team's lineup on Tuesday, batting eighth and playing designated hitter against the Texas Rangers. Montes was sidelined by a hip injury throughout most of the weekend after crashing into the right-field wall in Seattle on Friday night. The 21-year-old made his MLB debut with the Mariners on September 1 and has logged three hits and a home run across his first 15 big-league plate appearances. Montes was having a monster year in the minors before getting the call, hitting .249 with 38 home runs, 96 RBI, 99 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 542 plate appearances split between Double-A and Triple-A. Swing-and-miss is a major issue in his profile at the plate, but Montes holds tremendous power upside and could be a game-changer for fantasy managers down the stretch.

The Seattle Mariners are promoting top infield prospect Michael Arroyo to the major leagues prior to Sunday's game against the Athletics, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Arroyo ranked as the Mariners' No. 3 prospect in the latest MLB Pipeline farm system rankings. He was originally signed as an international free agent out of Colombia in 2022. He was promoted from Double-A to Triple-A in the middle of the 2026 season, slashing .283/.359/.471 with 18 home runs, 81 RBI, 17 steals, and 117 wRC+ between the two affiliates. He also racked up an 8.1% walk rate and a 16.4% strikeout rate in the minors. Arroyo played the left side of the infield early in his minor league career, but he has only played second base and left field in 2026. He'll make his MLB debut on Sunday afternoon, batting eighth and playing second base.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson was called up to make his MLB debut two weeks ago. His three starts since the call-up haven't been otherworldly, but he still has the strikeout upside necessary to make him an impactful starting pitcher in fantasy baseball for the final stretch of the season. Anderson has a 5.40 ERA through his three starts, but the 3.17 FIP doesn't look quite as bad. The ball-in-play metrics are solid, but we'd like to see him harness his strikeout, walk, and home run rates over a larger sample size. His 6.60 K/9 rate in the majors is essentially half of his rate from the minors this year, and his 4.20 BB/9 and 1.80 HR/9 rates are both key reasons why his ERA is so high. Getting called up midseason could be the main reason why Anderson has been a little shaky in the majors, and we have no concerns about his ability to produce long-term. Meanwhile, in the short-term, there's still a window for him to turn things around if he can attack the strike zone and miss more bats. He's an intriguing stash in September because if he makes those corrections, he'll have a huge fantasy baseball impact. He currently ranks as the #30 starter in RotoBaller's latest rest-of-season fantasy baseball rankings.

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes (hip) is absent from the starting lineup on Saturday against the division-rival Athletics at T-Mobile Park after crashing into the outfield wall and injuring his hip on Friday night, according to MLB.com. Dominic Canzone is starting in right field and is batting in the two-hole against A's left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Montes is considered day-to-day with soreness in his left hip and appears to have avoided a significant injury, so the young outfielder could be back in action as early as Sunday's series finale against the A's. The Mariners' No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, put up big numbers in 123 minor-league games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma this year before his call-up recently, slashing .249/.369/.558 with a .928 OPS, 38 home runs, 96 RBI, 99 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 542 plate appearances. For Montes' raw power alone, he is a worthy fantasy baseball stash in deep-mixed leagues. In his first three MLB games, the 21-year-old Cuban outfielder has gone 3-for-11 with a homer, three RBI, two runs, a walk, and four strikeouts. Montes is rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues.

Seattle Mariners second base/outfield prospect Michael Arroyo already has six RBI in his first four September games at Triple-A Tacoma and is continuing to show why he is one of the top prospects in the Mariners system. The Mariners No. 3 overall prospect, Arroyo is a well-rounded player with a 55-grade hit tool and 55-grade power with 50-grade speed. Between two minor league levels this season, Arroyo has a combined 18 homers and 17 stolen bases with a .286 batting average and looks like a consistent, five-category performer. As someone who can play second base or be shifted to the outfield, Arroyo has some versatility to his game. He is looking like he will be a plus fantasy contributor when he is called up to the majors, and he looks like someone the Mariners could use with his all-around game and his positive versatility.

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes (hip) exited Friday night's game early against the division-rival Athletics with soreness in his left hip, according to the team. In just his third MLB game, Montes left hobbled after crashing into the outfield wall while attempting a catch. Until we know the severity of the 21-year-old's injury, we will consider him day-to-day. Before being replaced in right field by Taylor Ward, Montes went 0-for-2 at the plate. In his first two games for the M's, the team's No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline went 3-for-9 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Seattle recently called up the 21-year-old Cuban outfielder in hopes that he would give the team a shot in the arm as they try to stay in the playoff race in the American League down the stretch. In 123 games (542 plate appearances) in the minors this year with Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, Montes hit .249/.369/.558 with a .928 OPS, 38 home runs, 96 RBI, 99 runs scored, and eight stolen bases, so he can certainly do serious damage at the dish when he is on. Because he sells out for lift and power most of the time, fantasy managers will have to put up with plenty of strikeouts. But his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame can produce high-end power. UPDATE: MLB.com's Luke Olson reports that Montes is day-to-day.

According to Ryan Divish, Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (lat) will be shut down from throwing for the next eight weeks. The Mariners are doing this after a recent MRI revealed more inflammation in his lat. Brash was ramping up towards a return in late August, but unfortunately, he suffered a setback. When healthy, Brash has been a stud, but keeping him on the mound has been extremely difficult for the Mariners. He'll finish the season with a 0.54 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 15/6 K/BB ratio across 20 appearances. The expectation is that the 28-year-old will be ready to go for the 2027 season.