What was already a rough start to the season for the Seattle Mariners has created a bit of controversy when it comes to the starting pitching arrangement.
Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller were both locked in as members of the Mariners rotation for the past several seasons. But this season, after Miller missed seven weeks with an oblique injury, former top prospect Emerson Hancock earned his way into the mix and created an awkward situation where Castillo looked like the odd man out upon Miller's return.
Faced with the daunting prospect of taking a three-time All-Star and the highest-paid member of his pitching staff out of the rotation, Mariners manager Dan Wilson has decided to "piggyback" Castillo and Miller. On Monday against the Athletics. Castillo threw the first four innings, followed by Miller for five. That followed a heartbreaking loss last Tuesday in which Miller threw 5 2/3 spotless innings, Castillo threw the seventh and eighth, then was left in for the ninth instead of bringing in closer Andrés Muñoz.
The frustration from Castillo was evident, as the 33-year-old displayed about as much emotion as we've ever seen from him in his 10-year career upon Wilson giving him the news that he was coming out after four scoreless frames and only 68 pitches. Castillo's postgame quotes were predictably chilly.
“I was kind of asking, ‘Maybe one more inning?’” Castillo said through an interpreter, via Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. “He told me that Bryce was ready. But as a competitor, you kind of want to go out there and just continue. But at the same time, you've got to respect his position. We knew that was part of the plan, and you've got to respect what his decision was.”
Miller, who was making his first career relief appearance, seemed uncomfortable about the entire situation as well.
“I found out yesterday or two days ago, so I just didn't really know how I was going to navigate it,” Miller said, per Kramer. “Obviously, I think I've got [76] starts over the last four years, plus a couple years in the Minor Leagues. Like, I haven't done this in a while -- really, since college -- pitching out of the bullpen. So I didn't really know how to navigate it. But I just did the best I could.”
Now 26-29 entering play on Tuesday, the Mariners have to feel fortunate that the American League has been weak as a whole, especially their own division. But if all the starters stay healthy, Castillo and Miller will become one of the bigger tandem stories in the league as this strange dynamic plays out.