Mariners place ace Logan Gilbert on 15-day IL

The Seattle Mariners’ short-handed starting rotation received a major blow Saturday.

Injury updates on 7 Seattle Mariners, including Brash and Robles

The M’s placed ace Logan Gilbert on the 15-day injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Gilbert, a right-hander, exited Friday night’s 8-4 loss against the Miami Marlins after tossing three scoreless innings and just 29 pitches. Flexor strains are associated with ulnar collateral ligament injuries, which can require Tommy John surgery.

Seattle Sports Mariners insider Shannon Drayer reported on social media that Gilbert will be shutdown for two weeks with a Grade 1 strain and re-evaluated afterwards.

Grade 1 flexor strain for Gilbert, will be shut down for 2 weeks then re-evaluated. https://t.co/Cg9EGGE3QH

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) April 26, 2025

The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude reported on social media that pitching prospect Logan Evans was in the M’s clubhouse Saturday and will make the start in Sunday’s series finale against Miami. No official move has been made yet, but Evans will need to be added to the 40-man roster.

Evans, who MLB Pipeline ranks as Seattle’s No. 10 prospect, has a 3.86 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 23 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings during five Triple-A starts this season.

The Mariners also recalled relievers Tayler Saucedo and Troy Taylor from Triple-A Tacoma, and designated right-hander Casey Lawrence for assignment.

This is the first time Gilbert has gone on the injured list since making his MLB debut in May 2021. The Stetson product has been an incredibly durable arm for the M’s, logging at least 32 starts in each of the past three seasons. He led MLB with 208 2/3 inning pitched while finishing sixth in AL Cy Young voting in 2024.

Gilbert was off to strong start in 2025. In seven starts, he has a 1-1 record, 2.37 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 33 1/3 innings.

The Mariners are also without starter George Kirby, who was shut down during spring training with right shoulder inflammation. Kirby threw a bullpen at T-Mobile Park on Friday. General manager Justin Hollander said the hope is Kirby can throw a live batting practice during the M’s homestand, which ends Wednesday. But not timetable has been given yet for his return to major league action.

With Kirby out, right-hander Emerson Hancock has made three starts and right-hander Luis F. Castillo has made two in his place. Hancock has made the past two.

Saucedo, an alumnus of Maple Valley’s Tahoma High School, is returning to the big league club after being sent down on April 5. He allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out two batters in 2 2/3 innings before his demotion. The 31-year-old left-hander has a 3.84 ERA in 89 innings since joining the Mariners in 2023.

Taylor, 23, made one appearance for Seattle this season after starting the year on the injured list with a right lat strain. He allowed three runs on three hits, didn’t record an out and was sent down to Tacoma afterwards. In 21 games as a rookie last season, the right-hander posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.14 WHIP while fanning 25 batters over 19 1/3 innings.

Lawrence, 37, pitched five innings in relief of Gilbert on Friday, allowing eight runs (two earned) on 10 hits. This is the third time Lawrence has been DFA’d this season. In four appearances with Seattle, the veteran is 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and four strikeouts over 10 innings.

The Mariners continue a three-game series with Miami at 6:40 p.m. Saturday. Radio coverage can be heard on 710 AM Seattle Sports or the Seattle Sports app, starting with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.

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