![\"Bryce](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Bryce-Miller-Mariners.jpg\")
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Bryce Miller of the Seattle Mariners reacts after a walk against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning in game one of the American League Championship Series.<\/p>\n
The Seattle Mariners<\/a> returned to the Pacific Northwest in fashion as Opening Day draws near. Alongside silly commercials<\/a> and Instagram fit checks<\/a>, the team is unveiling a new starting rotation for their first game.<\/p>\n Your 2026 Seattle Mariners have arrived in Seattle, Washington.<\/p>\n We are literally so back. <\/p>\n With Bryce Miller<\/a> still sidelined due to left oblique inflammation<\/a>, things won\u2019t look exactly as expected, but the adjustments appear to be temporary as he works his way back into the Bullpen.<\/p>\n Miller Update Results in a Twist in Mariners Rotation<\/p>\n After landing on the IL twice last season with bone spurs<\/a>, it\u2019s encouraging that Miller\u2019s current issue is unrelated.<\/p>\n Back in February<\/a>, he received a platelet-rich plasma injection to address discomfort. At the time, Mariners General Manager Justin Hollander provided an optimistic update:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something he usually goes through when he first starts to ramp up for camp,\u201d Hollander said.<\/a><\/p>\n On March 11th, fans saw Miller\u2019s first full-effort bullpen<\/a> session cut short due to lingering discomfort.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is rehab,\u201d Hollander said, offering an update<\/a>. \u201cThis is part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n More recently on Monday, March 23, Miller remained in Arizona to continue his rehab as the team flew back to Seattle. Fortunately, things appear to be looking up for the 27-year-old.<\/p>\n \u201cOne-hundred percent,\u201d was Miller\u2019s answer<\/a> when asked what his effort level was. \u201cOne-hundred percent for the first time in a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n He looked sharp during warm ups, focusing on mechanics and pitch location. Mariners manager Dan Wilson commented on his progress:<\/p>\n \u201cI think the way he\u2019s been progressing has been outstanding,\u201d Wilson said<\/a>. \u201cHe seems to be right where he needs to be and throwing the ball well. And I think once he gets rolling and starts to get spread out, then it just becomes a matter of where\u2019s the best opportunity to plug him in according to the schedule.\u201d<\/p>\n Mariners Rotation for Opening Day<\/p>\n Despite the positive momentum, it\u2019s unlikely that Miller will be ready for Opening Day. According to Seattle Sports,<\/a> Wilson emphasized the importance of managing the pitching staff carefully early in the season:<\/p>\n \u201cYou sort of have to take your bullpen into consideration, where (the relief pitchers) are at, how many innings they\u2019ve had to cover prior to, because you just don\u2019t know how those first couple ones are going to go,\u201d Wilson said.<\/a> \u201cThat\u2019s a big part of it, too. But I think our guys, our (high performance) staff, the work they put in with these guys, they\u2019re usually ready to go. And I think in Bryce\u2019s case, he\u2019ll definitely be ready to go. It\u2019s just a matter of where it fits in best.\u201d<\/p>\n That being said, if all goes well, Miller could return in April, potentially during a four-day break in the Mariners\u2019 schedule.<\/p>\n As the team finalizes its rotation<\/a>, Emerson Hancock or Cooper Criswell will likely step into his spot. Hancock has experience in the role, having filled in over the past two seasons for both George Kirby and Bryan Woo during their injury absences. That, paired with his impressive display<\/a> during spring training, makes him more likely to fill in until Miller is ready to return.<\/p>\n Opening Day will feature a 7:10 p.m. matchup in Seattle between the Mariners and the Cleveland Guardians<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tSydney Jones<\/a> Sydney Jones is a sports writer covering all things Golf, Mariners, and Seahawks for Heavy.com. She has experience covering the intersection of sports and human interest stories for multiple publications. Originally from Montana, she recently relocated to Seattle and is enjoying the new experience of being surrounding by live professional sports and rooting for a common team while writing about them. More about Sydney Jones<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Mariners\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t