The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays added starting pitching to their American League Championship rosters, released Sunday prior to Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.
The Blue Jays’ star shortstop Bo Bichette, who has not played since Sept. 6 because of a PCL sprain in his left knee, was not put on the roster.
The Mariners added right-hander Bryan Woo, who was unavailable for the AL Division Series against the Detroit Tigers because of a pectoral injury. According to MLB.com, he will not be available for Game 1. Woo last took the mound Sept. 19.
The Blue Jays put right-handers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer back on the roster. Bassitt didn’t play in the ALDS due to back inflammation, and Scherzer was left off because of ineffectiveness in September.
Woo, 25, was Seattle’s most effective pitcher on the season. An All-Star this season, he led the starting staff in wins (15), ERA (2.94), innings (186 2/3) and strikeouts (198). He was 15-7 in 30 starts.
Seattle’s pitching staff was taxed in the Mariners 3-2 series win over the Tigers on Friday, using seven pitchers over 15 innings, including three starters. Pitchers used in relief were called upon to pitch 27 of the 52 innings against Detroit, doing so with a 4.33 ERA compared to 2.16 for the actual starters.
The Mariners also added backup infielder/outfielder Miles Mastrobuoni. Infielder Ben Williamson and utility man Luke Raley were left off the roster.
The Blue Jays beat the New York Yankees in four games and used a three-man rotation — Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Troy Yesavage — in the best-of-five series.
Bassitt made 31 starts on the season but has not pitched since Sept. 18 due to back inflammation. He had an 11-9 record with a 3.96 ERA.
The 41-year-old Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, finished the season with a 5-5 record and 5.19 ERA in 17 starts. A veteran of 30 postseason games and winner of two World Series titles, Scherzer was 0-3 with a 10.20 ERA in four September starts.
They replace a pair of relievers — right-hander Tommy Nance and left-hander Justin Bruihl, who combined to give up eight hits and four earned runs in 1 2/3 innings against the Yankees.
First pitch of Game 1 in Toronto is set for Sunday at 8:03 p.m. ET. Seattle’s Bryce Miller (0-0, 4.15 ERA in the postseason) will oppose fellow right-hander Gausman (1-0, 1.59).
–Field Level Media
