SEATTLE — Jerry Dipoto’s end-of-season media availability on Sunday had a much different feel than in recent years, because the Mariners and their president of baseball operations haven’t been in this position before — with a first-round bye in the postseason and five off-days looming following their regular-season finale vs. the Dodgers.
“We’ve learned a ton of lessons over the course of the last four or five seasons,” Dipoto said. “And so many players in that clubhouse have experienced the disappointment that we felt in a number of different seasons, and they didn’t let it happen.”
Dipoto delved into multiple topics that will impact the club’s plans before the American League Division Series begins on Saturday.
Rotation plans hinge on Woo
Dipoto said that the best part of his Saturday was conversing with Bryan Woo in Seattle’s trainers’ room and being informed by the 2025 All-Star that he “felt great.” Dipoto added that “the trainers weren’t particularly concerned” and that “there’s a good deal of optimism” that Woo is part of their ALDS rotation.
However, they won’t know for sure until Woo faces live hitters, which could come this week.
“We already have a pretty good idea of what the plan is for Bryan, although we’re going to wait until he actually [throws] a bullpen or sees a hitter before we make a final determination,” Dipoto said.
While Woo would’ve easily been their Game 1 choice before exiting a Sept. 19 start in Houston with pectoral inflammation, the fact that he hasn’t pitched off a mound since could signal that — in a best-case scenario — the Mariners might hold him out until Game 3 at the earliest. He’s also been their best starter on the road (3.40 ERA).
Those factors, along with Dipoto’s commentary on their other arms — Logan Gilbert, George Kirby and Luis Castillo, who have a combined 2.72 ERA at home — suggest that two among that group will start Games 1 and 2.
“It won’t be necessarily geared toward who’s your No. 1 starter, but who do we feel is most rested, best positioned, and where does Bryan slot in?” Dipoto said. “And we can’t really make the other decisions until we have a better idea where Bryan will slot.”
Other roster decisions
Beyond their pitchers, the Mariners have clarity on the rest of their position-player nucleus for their 26-man contingent. However…
“The biggest question or debate internally is whether or not we could carry the three catchers,” Dipoto said.
Rookie Harry Ford has played so sparingly as a September callup, but his presence could be beneficial in lineups featuring both Cal Raleigh, who will start every game behind the plate, and Mitch Garver, who is a designated hitter option against lefties. Including Ford would allow Mariners manager Dan Wilson to comfortably pinch-hit for Garver late in games without the risk of losing his backup catcher in the event of an injury.
Elsewhere, the fact that Miles Mastrobuoni was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday suggests he’ll be included, especially given that his lefty bat, plus baserunning and ability to play all over are conducive for a bench role in the playoffs. Same for Leo Rivas, who plays each infield position other than first base, switch-hits and consistently delivers a quality at-bat.
Those two could make rookie Cole Young the odd man out, though Bryce Miller’s likely move to the bullpen could play into the roster’s overall calculus.
“Those last spots, the great likelihood is we will go position-player heavy,” Dipoto said. “Because of the nature of a short series. And the fact that, at some point, one of our starters will be used in the bullpen, which we feel like really helps that group back there.”
The Mariners also have a taxi squad en route to Seattle should they need reinforcements due to injury. However, any player that is removed from the ALDS roster would be ineligible to return until after the following series.
Scrimmages to balance rest vs. rust
While the Mariners wouldn’t have it any other way than securing a first-round bye — especially to rest players nursing physical issues, like Woo, Josh Naylor (groin) and Victor Robles (shoulder) — they’re cognizant that the long layoff could disrupt their scorching finish to the regular season.
“Momentum does carry a lot of weight in any short series, for sure,” Dipoto said.
That’s why they’ve scheduled a pair of six-inning scrimmages at T-Mobile Park that will be open to fans, on Wednesday at 2 p.m. and Thursday at 5 p.m.
The decision to do so came heavily off of input from hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and assistant hitting coach Bobby Magallanes, who were both with the Braves from 2021-24 when Atlanta bypassed the Wild Card Series thrice — including a World Series title win in ‘21 and NLDS eliminations in ‘22 and ‘23 — and held similar events.
Dipoto didn’t delve into the mechanics of the scrimmages — chiefly, on which pitchers will throw — but they are banking on fan attendance to create a “buzz.”
“Then turn the volume on in a big way when we get to midweek and not cruise into the weekend thinking that this is a vacation,” Dipoto said, “because it’s back on in the biggest way it’ll ever be.”
