Matt Brash DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Due to weather conditions, Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (elbow) will end up remaining with the team through their weekend series in San Francisco against the Giants, but he's nearing a minor-league rehab assignment and is still on target to return from the injured list in late April. Because he's returning from Tommy John surgery and missed all of 2024, Brash won't immediately be put into a late-inning setup role that he was working in late in 2023 in front of closer Andres Munoz. MLB.com's Daniel Kramer writes that in an ideal scenario, he'd be deployed at the outset of a clean inning, somewhere after the pivot guy relieves a starter but well before Munoz at the end of the game. When fully healthy, the M's are envisioning having a three-headed monster of Munoz, Brash and Gregory Santos at the back end of their bullpen in high-leverage situations.

The Seattle Times' Adam Jude reports that Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (elbow) was expected to make his Cactus League debut on Monday against the San Diego Padres in the spring training finale. Better late than never, right? Brash had an internal-brace procedure on his right arm in May of last year and missed the entire 2024 season, which is why he was delayed at spring training this year. The 26-year-old will obviously open the start of the 2025 campaign on the injured list, but barring a setback as he continues to rehab, Brash could make his season debut in May. Before his injury last year, Brash was a very effective high-leverage reliever in Seattle, especially in 2023. That year, he lead the league in appearances (78) and posted a 3.06 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, his first four career saves, 107 K's and 29 walks in 70 2/3 frames. He could be a sneaky waiver-wire pickup in holds leagues later this year.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash threw a live batting practice session on Wednesday, the first time he's done so since having an internal brace procedure on his elbow last May. The hitters were instructed not to swing in this particular session, but Brash was pleased with how it went, with the fastball sitting mostly in the mid-90s and the breaking stuff showing good spin. The next step will probably be to throw a real batting practice session with hitters trying to make contact, but the righty is not expected to be ready by Opening Day, rather, it will be closer to the May-June timeframe. Brash last pitched in the majors in 2023, recording a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 107 strikeouts over 70 2/3 innings pitched while logging four saves and 24 holds. Redraft managers who may be in need of strikeouts will want to monitor his return, although some command issues yield a high WHIP; otherwise, he'd be valuable in AL-only leagues and those that reward for holds.