This article takes a close look at Bryce Miller as Mariners spring training opens. The focus is on his health, offseason work, and his path toward a durable, full-season contribution in Seattle.
Last year, Miller dealt with elbow trouble. Now he’s arrived pain-free and stronger, firing fastballs in the upper 90s during live batting practice.
The piece also traces the medical strategy that helped him avoid surgery. It covers the pitch tweaks he worked on and the optimism building around a breakout year for the Mariners’ rotation depth.
Health and Spring Training: A Fresh Start for Miller
The Mariners say Miller came to camp healthy after a pain-free winter. He added about 15 pounds of muscle.
His fastball now sits at 97-98 mph in live BP. That’s a clear sign his offseason work paid off.
Seattle hopes this new strength and a reworked pitch mix will mean a reliable workload this spring and beyond. The club’s betting on durability and some sharper stuff.
The real question is how Miller channels that velocity and fitness into consistency on the mound. The team believes his new mechanics and better command could bring more depth and whiffs, especially if he can avoid the trainer’s room for most of the season.
2025 Season: Inconsistent Start but Postseason Bright Spot
Miller’s 2025 campaign had its rough patches and flashes of promise. Early on, elbow discomfort and lower-back tightness slowed him down.
He finished his first eight starts with a 2-4 record and a 5.22 ERA. After a cortisone shot and PRP injection, he missed time and then returned for late-season outings that brought mixed results.
His eight appearances from August through September carried a 5.62 ERA. Durability questions lingered as the season rolled along.
But Miller’s postseason performance really stood out. He found another gear when it mattered, posting a 2.51 ERA across three playoff starts and regaining some confidence in high-leverage moments.
- Postseason ERA: 2.51 over three starts
- Showed resilience after midseason adjustments
- Helped the Mariners push deeper into the playoffs
Smart Management of the Elbow: No Surgery, Synvisc and Monitoring
Miller and the Mariners decided against offseason surgery for a bone spur in his elbow. After consulting Dr. Keith Meister, he got a Synvisc joint-lubricant injection instead.
The goal was to keep his range of motion and lower the risk of future irritation. They’ll monitor the elbow and only use injections if symptoms pop up again, hoping to dodge surgical risks that could mess with his mechanics or long-term outlook.
This conservative approach is about stability and keeping Miller’s delivery clean enough for a full workload. If the elbow holds up, the Mariners think he’s set up to push his repertoire without risking his health.
Offseason Rebuild: New Pitches and Improved Mechanics
Over the winter, Miller focused on revitalizing his arsenal and tightening his command. He worked hard to revive the cutter and changed his slider grip, chasing more depth and sharper late break.
He found inspiration from watching Astros reliever Bryan Abreu’s slider. Using Abreu as a model, Miller tried to build more depth and consistency into his own breaking ball.
- Revived cutter with better depth and deception
- Slider grip overhaul for more bite and command
- Studied Bryan Abreu’s slider for depth and consistency
With these tweaks, Miller heads into spring training with a more complete toolkit. He’s got a healthy elbow, a fresh pitch mix, and a postseason track record that could make him a key piece of Seattle’s rotation as they chase another playoff run.
What Could This Mean for the Mariners
If Miller stays healthy and uses his improved cutter and slider, Seattle might finally have a reliable right-hander who can eat up innings. That could give the bullpen some much-needed breathing room late in games.
The organization plans to keep a close eye on his elbow and only use injections when absolutely necessary. They’re letting Miller work through a full season without rushing into surgery, which feels like a smart and patient move.
For fans, it’s pretty straightforward. A healthy Miller with sharper stuff could mean a sturdier rotation in 2026—and maybe, just maybe, a deeper run in October.
Here is the source article for this story: How M’s starting pitcher overcame an arm issue without needing surgery
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