SEATTLE -- Logan Gilbert threw a bullpen session on Friday at T-Mobile Park that very well could’ve been his final before returning to the Mariners’ rotation, as Seattle’s Opening Day starter is expected to be activated from the 15-day injured list -- potentially as soon as Monday.
“If he comes out of it good, I would anticipate his next start being in the big leagues,” Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said in a wide-ranging organizational injury update before Seattle’s series opener vs. Cleveland.
And just a few hours later, rookie Logan Evans -- who’s been an injury fill-in within Seattle’s rotation -- was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, a move that suggested Gilbert will indeed be activated in the coming days.
Gilbert cleared five innings with six strikeouts and surrendered just one hit and one walk on Tuesday for Tacoma, stretching out to 72 pitches in his third Minor League rehab outing.
“We just want to see that he feels good after the bullpen,” Hollander said, “that he bounced back after what was his longest outing with more ups and downs than he had previously.”
Gilbert, who has been on the IL with a right elbow flexor strain since April 26, is expected to remain on the six-day routine that he’s operated on since beginning the rehab assignment -- which would line up for Monday against the Red Sox, if he’s indeed activated.
RHP Bryce Miller (right elbow inflammation)
Miller is expected to be out for at least four to six weeks, with the first two being a complete shutdown from throwing after he received a platelet rich plasma injection to address the bone spur in the back of his pitching elbow. He was placed on the IL for the second time on Tuesday (retroactive to June 7).
Miller suggested last month, during his first stint on the IL, that he may eventually necessitate a procedure to have the spur removed. But after meeting with renowned orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister, surgery is not currently being considered.
“The conversations about surgery and no surgery, that's between the player and the doctor,” Hollander said. “The Mariners don't really get involved in that. The order of operation is Bryce sees doctors, they make a recommendation. Oftentimes, particularly with orthopedic injuries, players will want a second opinion. Dr. Meister is one of the best.
“The doctor and Bryce have a conversation, and then they tell us what they decide. So, in Dr. Meister's estimation -- and in our doctors’ estimation -- the PRP was the better way to go. We don't want to have surgery to have surgery. So that's how that conversation went.”
OF/1B Luke Raley (right oblique strain)
The slugger said in passing on Friday that his first rehab game with Triple-A Tacoma the day prior went well, and that he’ll play again with the Rainiers on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday (the Minors are off on Mondays) then determine if he’s ready to be activated.
“He said everything felt great,” Hollander said. “But there is some timing that's required if you're going and swinging at live pitching for the first time.”
Raley has been on the IL since April 30 (retroactive to April 28), after suffering the injury on a swing during early batting practice.
RF Victor Robles (left shoulder dislocation)
Robles rejoined the team this week in Arizona and traveled to Seattle to continue his rehab. The Mariners are still targeting September for his return.
“When you're immobilized for that long and you have that kind of traumatic injury to your shoulder, range of motion obviously decreases a lot,” Hollander said. “And we need to build that back up and do it in a measured, responsible way. If we push too hard, too fast, obviously there could be a re-injury.”
RHP Collin Snider (right forearm flexor strain)
The reliever has begun throwing again, and with the necessary buildup, is probably two to three weeks away from returning. He’s been on the IL since June 4.
OF Jonny Farmelo (stress reaction in rib)
Seattle’s No. 6 prospect by MLB Pipeline recently suffered his injury on a swing and has been sidelined since being pinch-hit for at High-A Everett on May 23. The timeline for his return is roughly four to six weeks, per Hollander.