Mariners GM shares latest updates on Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller

Injured starting pitchers Bryce Miller and Logan Gilbert are nearing their return for the Seattle Mariners.

General manger Justin Hollander said Tuesday that Miller is expected to rejoin the rotation at some point during the team’ nine-game homestand that opens Tuesday night against Washington. He also said Gilbert will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma this week, which will likely start Thursday.

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Miller went on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation two weeks ago and was eligible to return as soon as Tuesday. Hollander said the right-hander threw a bullpen session Monday that went well.

Miller told MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer last week that he was also dealing with an issue that would require surgery to be fixed. Hollander revealed Miller has a “small spur in the back of his elbow,” although the club isn’t concerned that will keep Miller from making his return.

“We felt like he needed to go on the IL for inflammation, not because the spur existed but because there was some inflammation,” Hollander said. “We feel like we’ve taken care of that now. He feels good, so we don’t anticipate any further management of that as we go. Obviously, you want to make sure that he’s not feeling pain, or uncomfortable or there’s any further inflammation, but (we) feel like we’re in a good place right now.”

Gilbert’s first rehab assignment with the Rainiers will likely be three innings. He will need to make multiple rehab appearances before returning to the big league club. The team hasn’t set a hard number for what that will need to be.

“Sort of how much volume he needs to build in the minor leagues will be to be determined based on how he feels and … how it goes,” Hollander said.

Gilbert went on the IL in late April with a flexor strain in his right elbow after exiting an April 25 start against the Marlins following three shutout innings. It’s the first time the right-hander has landed on the IL since reaching the majors in 2022.

Hollander also said right-hander George Kirby was feeling well after making his season debut last Thursday against the Astros. Kirby, who was shut down in spring training with shoulder inflammation in his pitching arm, is scheduled to make his second start of the season Wednesday against the Nationals.

When Miller and Gilbert make their eventual returns, the Mariners anticipate sticking to a five-man rotation. However, there could be times when a sixth starter is called upon.

“There’s intrigue,” Hollander said of going to a six-man rotation. “I would say that the unfortunate thing about the roster rules is you only get 26 spots and you only get 13 pitchers, and when you add a sixth starter, you take away a reliever. When you add a sixth starter, sometimes your starters pitch every six days, sometimes pitch every eight or nine days.

“Starting pitchers are fussy. They don’t like that. They like to stay on a regular schedule. They like to know when they’re pitching.”

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