Mariners Shock Fans, Sideline Star Pitcher Bryan Woo from ALDS Amid Mysterious Injury Recovery

The Seattle Mariners have finally broken a 24-year drought by clinching the AL West crown — their first since 2001. It’s been a long wait, and trust me, the buzz around this team is electric as they aim to return to the ALCS for the first time in over two decades. But, here’s the rub: the path forward isn’t going to be a cakewalk. They’re gearing up to face the Detroit Tigers, and notably, they’ll be doing it without their powerhouse ace, Bryan Woo. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any fan, considering Woo’s stellar season and importance to the rotation.

Behind the scenes, the Mariners are making tough calls. Even though Woo shone brightly this past year with a 2.94 ERA and earned an All-Star nod, he’s sidelined due to pectoral inflammation and won’t join the roster for the ALDS. There’s a strong hope, though, that he’ll be back in full force by the championship series—assuming Seattle can navigate past this hurdle. Meanwhile, pitchers George Kirby and Luis Castillo will take the mound in Games 1 and 2, shouldering the burden with resolve. Alongside stars like Andrés Muñoz, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, and Randy Arozarena, the Mariners appear ready to hustle, fight, and seize the moment. The energy is palpable, and I, for one, can’t wait to see how this thrilling chapter unfolds.
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The Seattle Mariners won the AL West for the first time since 2001. Now they’re trying to get back to the ALCS for the first time since 2001.

To do so, they’ll have to get past the Detroit Tigers without their ace.

The Mariners are leaving All-Star pitcher Bryan Woo off their 26-man roster for the ALDS, Seattle Times’ Adam Jude reported Saturday, hours ahead of Game 1.

Woo has missed the past two weeks with pectoral inflammation and reportedly isn’t ready to go for the division series against the Tigers. The 25-year-old righty, who posted a 2.94 ERA while making the Midsummer Classic for the first time in his young career, won’t be eligible to pitch until the ALCS, if the Mariners make it there.

That said, the Mariners believe Woo will have the green light for the championship series if they can in fact advance, per Jude.

Woo left a Sept. 19 start against the Houston Astros after spinning five shutout innings. It wasn’t until Thursday that he threw from the mound again.

Woo has clarified that, at this point, the focus is on ramping things back up so he has the arm strength to fire at the same intensity that’s made him one of the AL’s top hurlers.

“My job, it’s just control what I can control every day,” Woo said Thursday, via The Seattle Times. “I’ll do my stuff from when I get to the field early, get everything done before the game starts. And then I have all the faith in the world with all of our pitchers — starters, relievers, whoever it is. They’re more than capable than doing the job like they have been all year.”

Seattle is rolling with fellow right-handed pitchers George Kirby and Luis Castillo to start Game 1 and Game 2 against Detroit, respectively.

Woo was one of five Mariners All-Stars this season. He was joined by closer Andrés Muñoz, whose 38 saves were the third most in the majors this season, as well as power-surged, switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh, center fielder Julio Rodríguez and left fielder Randy Arozarena.