How Logan Gilbert fared in his second rehab start

Seattle Mariners ace Logan Gilbert went deeper in his second rehab start but still had some rough patches.

The right-hander pitched into the fourth inning Wednesday night in Tacoma during the Triple-A Rainiers’ contest against the Las Vegas Aces, an affiliate of the Athletics.

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Gilbert struck out two and allowed two runs on five hits and one walk over three-plus innings. He was removed after hitting the only batter he faced in the fourth. Gilbert tossed 60 pitches, which was 15 more than when he pitched just 1 2/3 innings last Thursday against the Salt Lake Bees. The 2024 All-Star was also in the zone more, delivering 38 (63.3%) of his pitches for strikes. He threw 24 strikes (53.3%) during his last outing.

Gilbert’s four-seam fastball regularly sat at 95-96 mph and topped out at 96.8 mph Wednesday night, which is where he was at during his first rehab outing. But it dipped under 94 mph on the two four-seamers he threw in the fourth.

Gilbert, 28, is working his way back with flexor strain in his right elbow. He went on the injured list after leaving an April 25 start against the Miami Marlins in which he pitched three shutout innings. The right-hander had a 2.37 ERA over 30 1/3 innings in six starts before the injury.

General manager Justin Hollander said last Tuesday that Gilbert would need multiple starts before returning to the majors, but the club hadn’t set an exact number.

“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.

This is the first time Gilbert has been on the IL since making his major league debut on May 13, 2021. Gilbert, who led MLB with 208 2/3 innings pitched last season, made 127 consecutive starts before hitting the IL.

When Gilbert returns, the Mariners’ rotation will be at full strength of the first time this season, barring any other injuries. Bryce Miller returned from a brief IL stint May 31 and George Kirby – who started the season on the IL – came back May 22.

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