Mariners Add Bryan Woo to ALCS Roster; Blue Jays Missing

The Seattle Mariners have shaken up their roster before their American League Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. Pitcher Bryan Woo is back from injury, and his return might give their rotation a real boost.

Woo’s activation is a calculated risk for the Mariners. They swapped out infielder Ben Williamson to deepen their pitching staff for this high-pressure series.

Both teams are making strategic moves to maximize depth and flexibility. October baseball always turns up the pressure, and these roster shuffles show just how much is at stake.

Bryan Woo’s Impact on the Mariners’ ALCS Push

Bryan Woo has shown promise for Seattle, but a pectoral strain kept him out since September 19. After a strong bullpen session that impressed the coaches, he earned a spot on the ALCS roster.

The young right-hander will throw live batting practice in Toronto. That’s a big step toward being fully ready for game action.

Potential Role in the Series

Manager Dan Wilson said Woo is recovering well and could pitch later in the series. That adds a layer of intrigue to Seattle’s rotation plans.

Every inning counts in the postseason. Woo’s talent could give Seattle key flexibility, especially in the middle or late innings.

Roster Reshuffling: Balancing Pitching Depth and Positional Coverage

Adding Woo meant removing infielder Ben Williamson. Now the Mariners have an even 13-pitcher, 13-position-player split on the roster.

This setup shows the team’s trust in its core hitters. At the same time, they’re prioritizing fresh arms to match up with Toronto’s offense.

Miles Mastrobuoni Adds Defensive Versatility

The Mariners also swapped Luke Raley for Miles Mastrobuoni. Mastrobuoni brings athleticism and can cover both infield and outfield, giving Seattle much-needed defensive flexibility.

He hit .250 in 76 regular-season games and has some postseason experience from the ALDS taxi squad. This move fits Seattle’s focus on being adaptable in clutch situations.

Three Catchers Strategy Remains in Place

Seattle’s sticking with Harry Ford as an emergency backup catcher. Carrying three catchers isn’t common in the postseason, but it lets the Mariners take more risks with pinch-hitting and substitutions.

Taxi Squad Depth for Emergencies

The Mariners’ ALCS taxi squad includes:

• Luke Raley
• Ben Williamson
• Infielder Cole Young
• Pitchers Logan Evans and Casey Legumina

Evans can’t return until Monday because of minor league rules, and only if there’s an injury. Even though these players aren’t on the active roster, their presence gives Seattle some insurance if things go sideways.

Blue Jays’ Key Roster Notes

Toronto heads into the series without star shortstop Bo Bichette. He’s still out with a left-knee sprain, which really hurts both their offense and infield defense.

Addition of Veteran Pitching Depth

The Jays are countering by adding veteran arms Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer. Scherzer is expected to start a game in Seattle, bringing his postseason experience and leadership to the rotation.

His presence could tip the balance in pitching matchups, especially in games where a dominant outing is what’s needed most.

What It All Means for the Series

This ALCS matchup feels like a chess game—lots of depth and plenty of versatility on display. The Mariners boosted their pitching numbers, maybe because they expect tight, low-scoring games where the bullpen could make or break things.

Toronto lost Bichette, which stings. Still, their new, experienced pitchers might help cover some of those offensive gaps.

Seattle added Bryan Woo and Miles Mastrobuoni, hoping Woo can handle playoff pressure. They’re also making sure they have enough defensive options.

Toronto will lean on their veteran rotation and try to fill the hole left by Bichette. Both teams made gutsy roster choices, so this ALCS should be a tactical, intense ride. Feels like fans will be glued to every inning.

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Here is the source article for this story: Mariners add a key player to ALCS roster; Blue Jays missing one