Mariners reliever Matt Brash knows he isn’t 100% himself – yet

For the first time since 2023, Matt Brash is back in the Seattle Mariners’ bullpen.

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The hard-throwing Canadian right-hander with a wipeout slider missed all of last season due to elbow surgery, and his absence was certainly felt by the M’s – especially considering he led MLB in appearances by a reliever in 2023.

Since being activated from the injured list last Saturday, Brash has had a pair of outings. And while he’s yet to give up a run, he’s clearly not the same lights-out pitcher he was a couple of years ago – right now, that is. He’s pitched 1 2/3 innings with one strikeout, two hits allowed, a walk and a hit batter.

It takes time to get fully back on track when returning from an injury like the one Brash endured, though. And he’s aware of that himself.

“Do I feel like I’m maybe 100% myself? Not yet. It’s going to take me a little bit,” Brash said Tuesday to Seattle Sports’ Wyman and Bob a few hours before his second outing of the year.

“It feels like I’m kind of still just coming out of like a spring training, let’s say, and this was like the beginning of my season. So I think as I get more appearances and get back on the mound more, I’ll start to become my normal self.”

While he sat around 98 mph two years ago, Brash’s fastball right now is sitting at 95.8 mph, according to Statcast. That’s to be expected, as is more velocity as he continues to build up strength the more he pitches this year.

“Obviously my velo is down a little bit than what it normally is, but I know that will come around,” Brash said. “My body feels good, my arm feels good, which is the main thing. I’m just excited to keep getting back out there and kind of each outing get back to my normal self.”

Hear the full Wyman and Bob conversation with Seattle Mariners pitcher Matt Brash in podcast at this link, or in the video or audio player near the top of this post. Catch Wyman and Bob from 2-7 p.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

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