ST. PETERSBURG — Bryan Woo’s voice grew quiet and the words didn’t come out easily as he tried to describe his disappointment at returning to the injured list for the second time this season.
Prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Mariners placed Woo on the 15-day injured list with a strained right hamstring. Seattle recalled right-handed reliever Collin Snider from Triple-A Tacoma to take Woo’s place on the 26-man roster.
In the fourth inning of his start Monday night, Woo felt his hamstring seize as he fired a first-pitch fastball to Taylor Walls. After discussing the situation with manager Scott Servais and head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson, Woo attempted a warm-up pitch, but he never threw the ball, stopping immediately when his hamstring strained. are contracted.
“I just didn’t feel like I could move forward the way I wanted to,” Woo said Tuesday afternoon. “I never had any lower body or hamstring problems. I didn’t really know what was going on. I knew it was different and that I didn’t feel anything like I had felt before.
Visibly upset that his body had betrayed him again, Woo limped off the field, Torgerson unable to hide his disappointment. Even a day later, the frustration of being sidelined again was evident.
“Obviously it’s been a tough season so far, just because of the injuries,” Woo said. “I finally feel like I have a night where I feel good and the ball comes out good and things get back to where I think they could be, and then you know,” he said . “It just sucks.”
Seeing the frustrated reaction of his young starter and seeing the discouragement in the face of his situation, Servais met with Woo Tuesday morning.
“I talked to him about it earlier today,” Servais said. “These things happen. Sometimes it’s out of your control. He’s a young player and he’s learning at this level what he needs to do to keep rolling and try to avoid some of those soft tissue injuries, but some things you can’t control.
The team’s medical staff told Woo that the blood pressure was “at a lower level,” giving him and the team hope for a return after the 15-day minimum.
“No specific timeline, but the reports from coaches and medical staff were pretty positive in that he can come back pretty quickly,” Servais said.
The Mariners hope Woo can continue to play catch and keep his arm active while the hamstring heals.
“That’s the key,” Servais. “You don’t want to stop your throws. He won’t be going down the hill anytime soon, but you have to keep throwing and keep going.
Woo missed the first five weeks of the season with elbow inflammation. Upon his return, the Mariners were cautious about his usage, limiting his pitches and innings. He also suffered forearm pain after his return.
Snider will give a new arm for some depth to a bullpen that has been used extensively this road trip, including Monday’s 4-3 loss to the Rays.
The Mariners are still evaluating their options for replacing Woo in the rotation and when they might do so. With days off Thursday and Monday, they could skip Woo’s turn in the rotation, which would take place Sunday against the Twins.
“We have a few days off coming up, which helps in a number of areas, but definitely with the rotation, so we’ll take a look at that,” Servais said. “It’s really important to give these guys an extra (day off) if you can, but have two days off pretty close together, so hopefully we can use them to our advantage.”
If they waive Woo, Luis Castillo, who started Tuesday night against Tampa Bay, could be rested and pitch Sunday against the Twins. But if they were to insert a starter for one of the series games against the Twins, that would mean they could have Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert lined up to start a series against the Orioles.
The Mariners have two likely candidates to fill the rotation spot: right-hander Emerson Hancock or left-hander Jhonathan Diaz. Hancock was discharged from duty on June 19 due to lower back tightness. He was given a few extra days off as a precaution and was scheduled to leave for Tacoma on Saturday.
Hancock started the season in the rotation in place of Woo. He made eight MLB starts, going 3-3 with a 4.79 ERA.
Diaz pitched for Tacoma last Saturday against Las Vegas and struggled, allowing five runs on seven hits in five innings of work. He made one start for Seattle on June 11, pitching five innings and allowing three runs on nine hits against the White Sox.
Veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who pitched well for Tacoma this season, is no longer one and, optionally, always was one. The Mariners trade Keuchel to the Brewers on Tuesday for cash considerations. Keuchel, 36, was 7-4 with a 3.93 ERA in 13 starts.
Also
Reliever Gregory Santos (Latin stock) threw a bullpen session before Tuesday’s game. He will hold a live batting practice session Friday at T-Mobile Park. If he comes out in good health, he will begin a rehabilitation mission.
The Mariners announced that two top prospects – outfielder Lazaro Montes and infielder Michael Arroyo – have been promoted from Low-A Modesto to High-A Everett.
Montes, the organization’s No. 4 prospect according to Baseball America, was destroying pitches in the Cal League. He had a slash line of .309/.411/.527 in 65 games with 13 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 72 RBIs, 43 walks and 59 strikeouts.
Arroyo, the Mariners’ No. 9 prospect, had a slash line of .279/.404/.500 in 60 games with 11 doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 49 RBIs, eight stolen bases, 39 walks and 61 strikeouts.
This story will be updated
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