The Mariners announced their 26-player roster for the American League Championship Series against the Blue Jays. After using 14 shooters and 12 players against the Tigers in the ALDS, the M’s will use 13 shooters and 13 players for their series against the Toronto Raptors. Full list…
catcher: harry ford, Mickey Garver, Carl Rowley
Infielder: Justice Crawford, Josh Naylor, Jorge Polanco, Leo Rivas, Eugenio Suarez
Outfielder: Randy Arozarena, Dominic Canzone, Victor Robles, Julio Rodriguez
Practical player: Miles Mastroboni
Left-handed pitcher: Caleb Ferguson, Gabe Speyer
Right-hand pitcher: Edward Bazardo, Matt Brush, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Emerson Hancock, Luke Jackson, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, Andres Munoz, Carlos Vargas, Brian Wu
The biggest news is the return of Wu, a right-hander who hasn’t pitched since developing chest tightness in a Sept. 19 game against the Astros. Wu’s workouts haven’t quite prepared him for Seattle’s ALDS roster, but president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said after the Mariners’ Game 5 win on Friday that Wu will likely be on the roster against Toronto.
Dipoto noted that Wu won’t be able to play until closer to the midway point of the series, which would seemingly give him the start in Game 4. With both Gilbert and Castillo needed in the 15-inning finale against Detroit, the Mariners’ rotation plans for the first two ALCS games in Toronto are very much up in the air. Miller will start Game 1 on short rest, and it can be assumed that Kirby will start Game 3 on regular rest, but it remains to be seen if Castillo and/or Gilbert will be involved in Game 2 and in what capacity.
Wu earns rookie infielder roster spot Ben Williamsonhe hasn’t seen a game in the ALDS (and hasn’t pitched in a major league game since July 30). Williamson placed on ALDS list primarily as a hedge Josh Naylor Paternity leave is likely to be missed, so the Mariners won’t be shorthanded in terms of infield depth. As it happens, Naylor played in all five games against Detroit and was still able to welcome his first child into the world.
Another change for Seattle comes on the bullpen, with one left-handed utility man in Mastroboni replacing another left-handed utility man. Luke Reilly. Mastrobuoni doesn’t have the same offensive upside as Reilly, but he brings more to the table in terms of sheer versatility. Reilly can play first base and all three outfield positions, but Mastroboni saw work at the corner outfield spot and first base in 2025, as well as time at second and third base. Essentially, the addition of Mastroboni allows the Mariners to replace Reilly and Williamson in one fell swoop. Reilly came off the bench in four games in the ALDS and had just one hit in six games.
