The Seattle Mariners are finalizing their 26-man roster for the ALDS, and Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reports that it will come with a few changes from the group they finished the season with. This article will be updated with the full roster as soon as it is public.
Most notably, RHP Bryan Woo has been omitted from the roster, as the M’s 2025 ace works back to full strength from a pectoral strain that unfortunately has him just off the timeline to be ready for this series. The hope seems to be for Woo to throw in the coming week and thus be without limitation for the ALCS if Seattle can overcome the Detroit Tigers.
The other surprise of sorts is the return of 3B Ben Williamson. The rookie spent a sizable chunk of the season in Seattle, playing a sharp defensive third base but ultimately ceding his spot to the return of slugging veteran 3B Eugenio Suarez. Suarez has been working out at 1B this week, a position that he’s played three times this season, albeit for just six innings, compared to hundreds of games at shortstop and thousands at third in his career, respectively. Those moves are because of the imminent birth of 1B Josh Naylor’s first child with his wife, Canadian singer Chantel Collado (known as just Chantel on stage). While Naylor is present, the obvious priority to his family means his employer is preparing for coverage in his absence. Per Jude, while the MLB paternity leave allows for up to three days of time with their family, Naylor has not finalized his plans (which understandably may depend on how Seattle is performing).
The absence of Woo has a few interesting knock-on impacts. Bryce Miller had been considered as a likely bullpen option for the M’s this series, but with him possibly needing use on Wednesday if the series goes to Game 4, the M’s may not be so keen to use him, or shorten any outings therein. Williamson’s bat is not prodigious, but the righty may get the nod against southpaw Tarik Skubal, in one of the most extreme “welcome back, hope you can swim” experiences imaginable for someone whose last in-game plate appearance prior to this week’s scrimmages was September 24th against 29 year old RHP Jake Walkinshaw of the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the Sacramento Athletics, who was a 36th round pick in 2019 out of Southern New Hampshire University. No biggie.
The rest of the choices here are largely chalk: Leo Rivas makes the bench with his speed, glove, and defensive versatility, while Williamson’s specialized skill at 3B edges out Miles Mastrobuoni. 2B Cole Young is also off the roster, which was foretold in large part by fading usage down the stretch. The M’s continue with their three-catcher orientation that’s allowed them to aggressively deploy and substitute Mitch Garver as LHP arise and fall. Luke Jackson and his significant experience in the playoffs likely plays a role in his presence over Casey Legumina as the final person in the pen. The official taxi squad for the series includes RHP Logan Evans, Legumina, Woo, Mastrobuoni, and Young.
Additionally, the Detroit Tigers have released their ALDS roster:
Not included is RHP Paul Sewald, who was on the Wild Card roster, as well as OF Justyn-Henry Malloy, who are flipped for RHP Brenan Hanifee and INF Colt Keith.
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