Seattle Mariners Reliever Matt Brash Has First Blemish in Rehab Assignment
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The Seattle Mariners bullpen has been one of the most heavily-used units in baseball.
Entering Monday, the Mariners relievers pitched 90 innings. That number is second in the league behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (96.2) and first in the American League.
And the Mariners will get a big boost to the bullpen soon when Matt Brash returns.
Brash missed all of 2024 and was placed on the 15-day injured list to begin the season due to recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Brash led Seattle in appearances in 2023 with 78. He had a 3.06 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 70.2 innings pitched.
2023 PitchingNinja Award for Filthiest Slider of the Year. ☠️🪦🏆
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) November 18, 2023
Winner: Matt Brash pic.twitter.com/eSIzjt7HHF
Brash has been on a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers since April 13. He made his third rehab appearance on Sunday.
In an 8-4 loss against the Oklahoma City Comets, Brash pitched 0.2 innings. He walked one batter, struck out one and allowed two earned runs on one hit. It was the first earned run and free base that Brash has let up in his rehab assignment. His ERA went from 0.00 to 6.75.
Brash had two rehab outings before his appearance Sunday. He pitched two total innings, struck out two and allowed two hits. Brash's two earned runs allowed have an asterisk. He was pulled with two runners on base after hitting his pitch limit. Will Klein inherited the runners and gave up the a hit. Brash was dinged for the two runs.
Matt Brash in his 3rd rehab game:
— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) April 20, 2025
0.2IP, 1H, 2R, BB, K, 20 pitches, 12 strikes.
Reached his pitch limit with 2 men on base & the next pitcher allowed both inherited runners to score on a 3-run HR. pic.twitter.com/SgO1ANO4Y3
Brash has been ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery. The initial timeline after the surgery had Brash to return around the All-Star break. In spring training, Brash had gotten his velocity back up to his average from 2023 (98.1 mph). He had the full spin rate and movement back on his secondary pitches. He threw in the Mariners' Cactus League finale against the San Diego Padres on March 24.
Brash's relief outing Sunday wasn't as clean as his two previous ones, but he seems closer to making his return from injury.
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