Bryan

Woo

It’s reassuring to see Woo looking like himself again after missing time late last year — and into the postseason — with pectoral inflammation. The 26-year-old profiles as a surefire top-10 starting pitcher off the board this spring, the kind of arm whose floor and ceiling feel uncomfortably close to one another in a way that makes draft-day decisions easier than they probably should be at a position where nothing is guaranteed.

Woo made the leap last year, evolving into one of the top starters in the entire fantasy landscape with a sparkling 2.94 ERA — 3.07 xERA — 0.93 WHIP and 198/36 K/BB ratio across 186 2/3 innings over 30 starts. The 26-year-old’s velocity was right on par with last season in his first Cactus League outing and he threw 28 pitches (19 strikes) in this one. He’ll be among the top 10 starters off the board in all fantasy drafts this spring.

Woo came out of the bullpen to protect a two-run lead in the fifth inning and needed just 28 pitches to navigate two scoreless frames. His most impressive moment came when he fanned Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a hard-biting sweeper following a nine-pitch battle. Things unraveled in the ensuing frame when he issued a leadoff walk to Addison Barger and a single to light-hitting Isiah Kiner-Falefa before being lifted with one out. He was charged with both runs when teammate Eduard Bazardo served up a go-ahead homer to George Springer.

They’d be on two days’ rest after Woo threw 28 pitches and Miller threw 56 in Game 5 on Friday. Woo, who was making his first appearance in nearly four weeks after recovering from pectoral inflammation, would seem to be far more likely than Miller to pitch in the game, with Miller perhaps becoming more of an option if extra innings are involved. The Mariners will have George Kirby start the game, with Game 4 starter Luis Castillo also surely available to take over at any point.

Wilson added that Bryan Woo (pectoral) will be available out of the bullpen for the rest of the ALCS. Miller limited Toronto to just one run over six innings to pick up the win in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series and draws the starting assignment for Friday night’s Game 5 matchup in Seattle. Woo has yet to pitch this postseason due to pectoral inflammation, but it sounds like he’ll be available in shorter bursts out of the bullpen for the remainder of the series as opposed to making a traditional start. He figures to follow Miller in Game 5, assuming he isn’t needed to pitch in relief of veteran Luis Castillo in Game 4.

Woo, returning from pectoral inflammation, could start ALCS Game 5 for the Mariners, perhaps working in tandem with Bryce Miller. It’d be Woo’s first appearance since Sept. 19, when he threw five scoreless innings against the Astros.

That should rule Woo out for the first three games of the series, at least. The Mariners are probably targeting a Game 5 start for the right-handers, unless maybe things get crazy tonight and they opt to pitch Logan Gilbert or Luis Castillo in relief again.

Woo’s return provides a massive lift for Seattle’s rotation mix for the best-of-seven series against Toronto after missing the ALDS recovering from pectoral inflammation. It’s unclear when he’ll take the ball during the extended series, but Mariners manager Dan Wilson should provide an update at some point prior to Game 1. The 25-year-old ace posted a spectacular 2.94 ERA across a career-high 186 2/3 innings over 30 starts during the regular season. The only other changes for the Mariners involve versatile Miles Mastrobuoni joining their bench mix with Luke Raley and rookie Ben Williamson being left off.

It sounds like Woo be available until later on in the upcoming ALCS showdown against the Blue Jays based on Dipoto’s comments following Seattle’s series-clinching win over the Tigers. However, his impending return provides a significant lift to Seattle’s rotation mix. The 25-year-old ace, who completed a bullpen session prior to Friday’s exhilarating 15-inning winner-take-all affair, has been sidelined since the start of the postseason recovering from pectoral inflammation.

Woo, 27, was unavailable in the ALDS because of his pectoral issue, but the right-hander will have a chance to be a key cog in the pitching staff for Seattle if they’re able to advance to face the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old could be an option — assuming the bullpen goes well, of course — in Game 1 or Game 2 of that series.