The Mariners' Opening Day Just Got a Lot More Complicated: Crawford and Miller Both Out
Well, this is not how the Mariners wanted to start 2026. As they finalized their 26-man roster Wednesday, shortstop J.P. Crawford and right-hander Bryce Miller both landed on the injured list to begin the season. So much for the feel-good opening day vibes, right?
Crawford's Shoulder Problem Has Seattle Scrambling
Crawford, the franchise's longest-tenured player, has been the Mariners' Opening Day shortstop for seven straight seasons. The 31-year-old is a cornerstone of this team. But a right shoulder injury limited him to just seven spring training games, and when he did play, he hit .143 with zero extra-base hits. Not exactly inspiring. Manager Dan Wilson said Crawford got some at-bats in a minor league game Wednesday and is working through a throwing program, though. "It's progressing like it should," Wilson said. "I think we'll be in a good spot."
The question now is who fills the void. Leo Rivas, a 28-year-old utility guy who hit .244 with two home runs in 90 at-bats last season, is expected to get most of the starts at shortstop. The Mariners went with Rivas over top prospect Colt Emerson, who had impressed during spring training before getting reassigned to minor league camp. Crawford had an solid 2025, hitting .265 with 12 home runs and 58 RBIs, so losing him even short-term stings.
Miller's Oblique Injury Could Take a While
Then there is Miller. The 27-year-old right-hander dealt with a left oblique injury throughout the entire spring. Two weeks ago, he ended a bullpen session early after feeling discomfort. On March 11, he threw some warmup pitches, took a break, and decided against throwing any full-effort pitches. He is still down at the Mariners' spring training facility in Peoria, Arizona, building arm strength and has thrown two bullpen sessions since then.
Wilson says the next step is getting some hitters in the box before Miller gets back into games. "Once he passes that hurdle, then I think it's getting a chance to get in games, whether that's down here, whether that's up here remains to be seen." Right-hander Emerson Hancock, who started a career-high 16 games last season and went 4-5 with a 4.90 ERA in 2025, will slide into Miller's spot in the starting rotation.
Miller was 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA in 18 starts last season and spent time on the injured list twice with right elbow inflammation. He did post a 2.51 ERA in the postseason, though. The good news is he and the Mariners already avoided arbitration with a one-year deal that includes a 2027 club option.
Two key pieces dealing with injuries before the season even starts. This is not ideal, but Wilson sounds confident Crawford will be back soon. Miller might take longer.
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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.