Logan Gilbert Gets The Ball Again: Mariners Name Him Opening Day Starter For Second Straight Year
The Mariners just made it official, and honestly, it makes total sense. Logan Gilbert is taking the mound on opening night for the second year in a row. Manager Dan Wilson announced Friday that Gilbert will be the first pitcher to throw for Seattle next Thursday against Cleveland, and there's a real story here about resilience and trust.
The Decision Was Never Really In Doubt
Look, it seemed like it was going to come down to Gilbert or Bryan Woo. Both guys deserved consideration. But Wilson and the front office went with Logan, and Wilson laid out exactly why when he pulled all the starters together to break the news.
"As we've done a lot in the past, we pulled all of them in and obviously these are difficult decisions, and every one of those guys is a number one," Wilson said. "But just where we are right now in spring Logan was the guy that is slated for that."
The reality is Gilbert has earned this through his years with the organization and the way he's bounced back from some serious adversity. Last season he missed time with a flexor strain in his right arm, which is always scary for a pitcher. But he came back strong.
Proving He's Ready to Go
Remember last year's opening day? Gilbert was dominant. He allowed just two hits and one earned run over seven innings in a victory against the Athletics. That kind of performance sets the tone for everything that follows.
Then arm issues popped up by late April and he hit the IL. He didn't pitch between April 25 and June 16. But when he finally returned, Gilbert stayed healthy and made 25 starts total, finishing with a 3.44 ERA and 131 innings pitched. He even showed up in the playoffs, making four appearances including his first relief appearance ever in Game 5 of the ALDS against Detroit.
Wilson gets it. "I really appreciate the way he's bounced back from that and he's certainly ready to go," the manager said.
Joining Mariners History
Gilbert is now the 11th different pitcher in franchise history to start multiple opening days. That's solid company. Felix Hernandez holds the record with 11 of 12 years between 2007-18. More recently, Marco Gonzales went three straight (2019-21), Robbie Ray took one (2022), and Luis Castillo handled 2023 and 2024.
The Mariners are rolling with their guy, and Gilbert gets another chance to set the tone. Next Thursday against Cleveland, it all starts with Logan Gilbert taking the ball.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.