Mariners general manager Justin Hollander announced Tuesday that Logan Gilbert will begin a minor league rehab assignment later this week, and Bryce Miller is expected to return to the starting rotation soon.
Gilbert is slated to make a rehab start Thursday with Triple-A Tacoma as he continues his recovery from a right flexor tendon strain that has sidelined him since April 26. After a successful 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday, he’s scheduled to pitch three innings Thursday and make at least one more rehab appearance afterward.
Miller also threw a 45-pitch bullpen Monday and is on track to rejoin the rotation during the current homestand. He was placed on the injured list May 14 with elbow inflammation, which Hollander attributed to a small bone spur at the back of the elbow.
“Super positive on Bryce,” Hollander said, though the exact return date is still to be determined.
However, not all injury updates were encouraging. Outfielder Victor Robles, who fractured his left shoulder in early April making a highlight-reel catch in San Francisco, is now expected to return later than initially hoped.
While recent scans show good healing and shoulder stability, Robles likely won’t return until September. The original plan was six weeks of healing followed by six weeks of rehab, but Hollander clarified that after healing, Robles will need six weeks of strength training first — pushing back his return significantly.
“I think July will be when he ramps up baseball activities,” Hollander explained. “Given how long he’s been out, he’ll need a significant buildup. We likely won’t see Victor until September.”
Raley Nears Rehab Assignment
Outfielder Luke Raley is set to head to Seattle on Wednesday to resume swinging as part of his return to baseball activities.
Raley, who suffered an oblique injury during batting practice on April 30, is expected to begin a rehab assignment the week of June 3, according to Hollander.
The exact duration of the assignment hasn’t been decided, but Hollander noted it would likely last at least a week.
Injured Relievers Making Progress
Relievers Gregory Santos (knee) and Tayler Saucedo (oblique) have both resumed throwing as they recover from their injuries. Saucedo, sidelined since April 27 with a left oblique strain, is targeting a July return.
Santos, who landed on the IL on April 25 and was moved to the 60-day IL on April 29 following right knee cartilage surgery, is also expected to return to game action in July, per Hollander.
Reliever Trent Thornton threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and is scheduled to face live hitters on Friday. If all goes well, he could begin a rehab assignment soon. Thornton has been sidelined since undergoing an appendectomy on May 8.
Minor league updates
Jackson Kowar, who had Tommy John surgery in March 2024, is progressing well in his rehab and is close to being activated, according to Hollander.
Kowar hasn’t yet pitched for the Mariners since being acquired from Atlanta—along with Cole Phillips—in the late 2023 trade that sent Jarred Kelenic the other way. He’s made six rehab outings in Tacoma this season, posting a 1.80 ERA over five innings.
Meanwhile, Mariners’ No. 4 prospect Felnin Celesten recently missed about a week and a half due to symptoms similar to vertigo, Hollander said.
Celesten dealt with episodes of dizziness during baseball activities and consulted a doctor. While the exact cause remains unclear, the 19-year-old shortstop has returned to action as a designated hitter for Single-A Modesto and is expected to resume playing in the field later this week.
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