Mariners GM has promising updates on 2 key injured relievers

The Seattle Mariners are banged up all over the field right now, but their health is at least heading in the right direction in one area: the bullpen.

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Mariners general manager Justin Hollander had positive injury updates on two high-leverage arms when he joined Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Monday morning.

Matt Brash

The return of Matt Brash, a 28-year-old right-hander, could be imminent based on what Hollander said ahead of Monday’s series opener against the White Sox at T-Mobile Park.

“He’ll be in today. We’ll reevaluate for whether it’s the right thing to do to go give him another rehab outing early this week or whether to activate him in the big leagues this week,” Hollander said.

Brash hit the 15-day injured list after experiencing lat inflammation in Minnesota on April 29, but he has now made a pair of rehab outings with Triple-A Tacoma. The most recent was Sunday when he pitched 2/3 innings with two walks and a strikeout on 23 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. Brash had an impressive first rehab outing on May 14, striking out the side in a perfect inning.

Hollander said Brash “felt better after yesterday’s outing than he did it after the first one.”

Nasty work from Brash 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/hqnHz67Q6d

— Tacoma Rainiers (@RainiersLand) May 17, 2026

Prior to his lat trouble, Brash was off to a stellar start for the Mariners. He owns a 0.00 ERA and 0.44 WHIP with four holds and eight strikeouts over 11 1/3 innings in 14 appearances.

Gabe Speier

Once Brash returns, it may not be long before he’s joined in Seattle’s bullpen by left-hander Gabe Speier.

The 31-year-old Speier also last pitched on May 29, as he soon after was placed on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation. He’ll be back on a mound in the Puget Sound this week, however, as Hollander said the veteran southpaw is set to begin a rehab assignment Wednesday with the Single-A Everett AquaSox, who are home this week while the Rainiers are on the road.

Hollander estimated a similar rehab assignment for Speier as the one Brash is currently on.

“He will throw in Everett this week on Wednesday, likely another one after that on Saturday, and then we’ll see where he’s at,” Hollander said of Speier.

Speier has a 2.92 ERA and 1.541 WHIP over 15 appearances (12 1/3 innings) this season for the Mariners. He has 12 strikeouts to five walks and a hit batter.

Speier had a standout 2025 season, posting a 2.61 ERA and 0.871 WHIP in 76 appearances (62 innings), and pitched for the United States in the World Baseball Classic this spring.

Hear the full Brock and Salk conversation with Seattle Mariners general manager Justin Hollander in the podcast at this link or in the player below. Catch Brock and Salk from 6-10 a.m. weekdays on Seattle Sports.

More on the Seattle Mariners

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• Cal Raleigh had hunch oblique injury would cause IL stint
• Salk: How Seattle Mariners can replace Cal’s production

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