The Mariners announced the 26 players who will be part of their American League Championship Series roster against the Blue Jays. After using a complement of 14 pitchers and 12 position players against the Tigers in the ALDS, the M’s will use an even 13 pitchers and 13 position players to navigate their series with Toronto. The full list…
Catchers: Harry Ford, Mitch Garver, Cal Raleigh
Infielders: J.P. Crawford, Josh Naylor, Jorge Polanco, Leo Rivas, Eugenio Suarez
Outfielders: Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, Victor Robles, Julio Rodriguez
Utility player: Miles Mastrobuoni
Left-handed pitchers: Caleb Ferguson, Gabe Speier
Right-handed pitchers: Eduard Bazardo, Matt Brash, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Emerson Hancock, Luke Jackson, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Andres Munoz, Carlos Vargas, Bryan Woo
The biggest story is Woo’s return, as the right-hander hasn’t pitched since suffering pectoral tightness in a start against the Astros on September 19. Woo’s ramp-up work didn’t quite allow him to be ready for Seattle’s ALDS roster, but president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said on Friday after the Mariners’ Game 5 clinch that Woo would likely be part of the roster against Toronto.
Dipoto specified that Woo wouldn’t be available until closer to midway through the series, which would seemingly line him up for a start in Game 4. Because Gilbert and Castillo were both needed in the 15-inning finale against Detroit, the Mariners’ rotation plans over the first two ALCS games in Toronto are very much up in the air. Miller will start Game 1 on short rest and it can be assumed that Kirby will start Game 3 on regular rest, but it remains to be seen if Castillo and/or Gilbert will be involved in Game 2, and in what capacity.
Woo takes the roster spot of rookie infielder Ben Williamson, who didn’t see any action in the ALDS (and hasn’t played in a big league game since July 30). Williamson’s inclusion on the ALDS roster was largely as a hedge against Josh Naylor potentially missing time on paternity leave, so the Mariners wouldn’t be left short-handed in terms of infield depth. As it happened, Naylor played in all five games against Detroit and was still able to welcome his first child into the world.
Seattle’s other change comes on the bench, with one left-handed utilityman in Mastrobuoni replacing another in Luke Raley. Mastrobuoni doesn’t have Raley’s offensive upside, but brings more to the table in pure versatility. Raley can play first base and all three outfield positions, but Mastrobuoni saw work at both corner outfield slots and at first base in 2025, as well as time as a second and third baseman. Essentially, Mastrobuoni’s inclusion allows the Mariners to replace Raley and Williamson in one fell swoop. Raley came off the bench in four games of the ALDS, with one hit-by-pitch over six plate appearances.
I thought we might see Evans added, but of course getting Woo back was more important.
Hopefully we’ll see a great game today!
Definitely thought we’d see Evans over Luke Jackson. We might need another guy that could go 3+ innings.
I hope we don’t have to use 4 of those pitchers, and I’m pretty sure Dan doesn’t want to, either: Jackson, Ferguson, Vargas, and Hancock. But at least two of those guys had better have it together for these first two games. Go M’s!
Hancock has been good as a reliever when called on and I’d expect to see him tonight after Miller
Miles Mastrobuoni could be a useful depth add. Although he probably won’t have too much of an impact, you never know when a guy like this can pop in and provide an unexpected spark.
It’s important to use him sparingly, though, since too much Mastrobuoni can make you go blind.
One can only hope he becomes the Mariners version of Bucky F***ing Dent to Jays fans, although I’d probably put the “f***ing”before “buoni.”
Just there to take the edge off and provide a little relief….
let’s go mariners. it’s your time
Had to bring Mastrobuoni in he’s a hell of a hand 👌
I hate reading that name as much as I hate saying jazz chisholm ( I always end up swapping the a and i)
Given actual usage patterns over a high-stakes short series, teams should be limited to 20-man rosters. Alternatively, no off-days with full rosters. So the early series’ can go 5 then 7, and the DS and WS rounds can be best of 9 games.