Mariners Notebook: The latest on relievers Brash, Taylor

SEATTE – The Seattle Mariners’ bullpen is getting closer to receiving some major reinforcements as each day passes.

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Right-handed relievers Matt Brash and Troy Taylor were each in the clubhouse Sunday at T-Mobile Park and got some throwing in pregame as they near rehab appearances.

“Really good to see both of those guys here,” manager Dan Wilson said. “… We talk about all the work that goes into to coming back from injuries, and especially in Matt’s case, really good to see him back around Seattle.”

Wilson said both are expected to start rehab stints in the coming weeks.

Brash missed all of last season after having Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in pitching elbow. He pitched an MLB-high 78 games and struck out 107 batters over 70 2/3 innings with a 3.06 ERA in 2023. The hard-throwing reliever was often used as the M’s “pivot” man out of the bullpen, coming in with runners on base and using his ability to generate swing and miss to try and strand runners.

The 26 year old made a surprising spring debut in Seattle’s final Cactus League game last week, striking out two batters and walking one while throwing 12 pitches over two-thirds of an inning.

“He was just tickled to be out there, and it was great to go take the ball from him and see him smile as big as he did,” Wilson said of Brash’s return to game action. “Again, just can’t underestimate the amount of work and patience it takes when you come back from an injury like that. To get himself to where he is and to get himself into a game, felt like an accomplishment for sure. Now he’s ready to take that next step and get ready to be here for us.”

The 23-year-old Taylor missed all of spring training with a right lat strain. The UC Irvine product made the jump to the big leagues last season after starting the year with High-A Everett and throwing just 30 2/3 innings with Double-A Arkansas. He was a key member of the M’s bullpen after making his big league debut, posting a 3.72 ERA and 1.138 WHIP with 25 strikeouts over 19 1/3 innings.

Wilson said the plan is to give both as much time as they need to get ready for their returns to the majors.

“We’re not trying to rush them,” Wilson said. “Definitely want to be ready to go when they get back, and we’ll just assess as we go – how it looks at the time. But definitely want to give these guys the opportunity to get healthy and be ready to go when they get back here.”

Polanco gets rest day

After a down year in his first season in Seattle, third baseman Jorge Polanco has gotten off to a strong start in the first three games of the season. However, he had the day off Sunday with Dylan Moore getting the start at third against A’s left-hander JP Sears.

Wilson said the day off was to give Polanco a chance to rest the knee he had surgery on over the offseason. Polanco is available to pinch-hit off the bench.

Polanco hit the go-ahead two-run home run in Seattle’s 4-2 win on Thursday in the season opener and is 5-for-10 three RBIs. He’s accounted for one-third of the team’s hits through three games.

“He has swung the bat well, so well for us,” Wilson said. “But giving him a chance to collect his knee again today, get off his feet just a little and give himself a break.

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