Mariners place Matt Brash on IL, recall lefty reliever

SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners placed standout reliever Matt Brash on the 15-day injured list with right lat inflammation on Friday.

The move is retroactive to Thursday.

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In a corresponding move, left-hander Josh Simpson was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.

Brash exited his most recent outing on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins early after throwing just two pitches.

General manager Justin Hollander on Friday said MRI results on Brash’s lat showed no structural damage and trace inflammation. The team was also considering whether or not Brash needed a full IL stint before erring on the side of caution and shutting the right-hander down.

“We’ve been really careful with Matt all year long in making sure that we’re not putting in a position to go hurt himself or damage the long-term prospects of the season,” Hollander said shortly before Brash was placed on the IL.

Brash, 27, missed all of the 2024 season after having Tommy John surgery to repair to the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his right elbow. He made his return from the injury last May.

Brash was having a stellar start to this season before landing on the IL, having allowed no runs over 11 1/3 innings in 14 appearances. The right-hander has struck out eight, allowed just two walks and held opponents to an .091 batting average.

Simpson, 28, pitched in 31 games as a rookie for the Miami Marlins last season. He posted a 7.34 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and 4-2 record while striking out 36 batters and allowing 22 walks over 30 2/3 innings.

In nine appearances with Tacoma this season, Simpson has a 0.96 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and six walks allowed over 9 1/3 innings.

The Mariners begin a three-game series with the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at 6:45 p.m. Radio coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. with the pregame show on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app. 

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