Overview
- The Mariners formally announced a return to a piggyback starting strategy through the All‑Star break that will rotate the front‑end/back‑end duties among all six starters.
- The club plans tentative five‑ and four‑inning splits for each tandem and will use a pivot reliever when a starter is removed mid‑inning.
- The first piggyback under the plan pairs Bryce Miller as the starter with Luis Castillo following in relief at T‑Mobile Park later this week.
- Front office and coaches said recent injuries to key relievers and a thin bullpen forced starters to cover extra innings, which prompted the short‑term change.
- The six starters unanimously agreed to share the load, the team will not immediately promote Kade Anderson or Ryan Sloan from Triple‑A, and the approach will be reevaluated after roughly 30 days.