Bryan Woo exits early for Mariners, injury concerns emerge

The Seattle Mariners took a big step forward in their playoff chase Friday night. They shut out the Houston Astros 4-0 and tightened their grip on the American League West.

But the win came with a bit of worry. Ace right-hander Bryan Woo left early after feeling tightness in his pectoral muscle, even though he dominated through five innings.

Seattle’s bullpen stepped up. Now, everyone’s watching Woo’s health as the Mariners head into the most important part of their season.

Bryan Woo’s Early Dominance and Sudden Exit

Before leaving, Bryan Woo looked like the ace Seattle needs in 2025. He carved up Houston’s lineup and allowed just one hit over five scoreless innings.

His command and velocity were on point. The Astros couldn’t figure him out.

But as Woo warmed up for the sixth, he grimaced and stretched his upper body. The dugout took notice right away.

The Precautionary Move by Manager Dan Wilson

Manager Dan Wilson and the medical staff visited the mound for a quick check. They decided to pull Woo from the game to be safe.

With playoffs looming, risking a worse injury just wasn’t worth it. Wilson said Woo will get an MRI on Saturday to see how bad the tightness is.

Woo still improved to an impressive 15-7 record and dropped his ERA to 2.94. He’s been steady all year, usually lasting at least six innings—27 times in his last 29 starts, actually.

Seattle’s Bullpen Rises to the Challenge

With Woo out, the Mariners’ relievers had to step in fast. Eduard Bazardo took the ball in the sixth and tossed two clean innings.

He shut down the middle of Houston’s order, and Seattle kept the momentum.

Closing the Door on the Astros

Then Matt Brash and Andres Muñoz handled the late innings. They finished off the combined three-hit shutout.

The bullpen didn’t let Houston get any hope late. Seattle locked up the 4-0 win, even without their ace.

Offensive Support and Key Series Implications

Woo’s injury and the bullpen’s work grabbed the headlines, but the Mariners’ offense chipped in too. They came up with timely hits and ran the bases hard, pushing across four runs.

That gave their pitchers some breathing room. The win also nudged Seattle (85-69) one game ahead of Houston (84-70) in the AL West.

A Series That Could Define the Season

This three-game series with Houston feels huge—maybe the biggest of Seattle’s regular season. Taking Game One gave the Mariners the upper hand and sent a message: they’re serious about controlling their fate in the division.

Every play in the next two games will matter. The stakes just keep rising.

Key Takeaways from the Mariners’ Victory

• Bryan Woo’s dominance: Woo showed why he’s the ace, keeping Houston quiet aside from a single hit. His injury status could shape the rest of the season.
• Reliable bullpen depth: Bazardo, Brash, and Muñoz combined for four scoreless innings in a high-pressure spot.
• Clutch timing in the standings: The win gave Seattle a one-game edge in the AL West, and that’s a big deal right now.
• A true playoff atmosphere: The Mariners played sharp and stayed cool with everything on the line.

Looking Ahead

The Mariners will wait nervously for the results of Woo’s MRI. If he gets a clean bill of health, that would be a huge relief as the team chases both the division crown and a deep October run.

With two games left in this pivotal series, Seattle has a real shot to pull ahead of Houston. If Friday night says anything, Mariners fans have plenty of reasons to believe this team is headed for a wild finish to the regular season—and maybe even a playoff run people talk about for years.

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