Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Brash made a stunning return to the mound after being sidelined for over a year due to Tommy John surgery. The hard-throwing right-hander last pitched in the 2023 season, during which he led Major League Baseball with 78 appearances and struck out 107 batters over 70⅔ innings. His electric stuff made him a key weapon in the Mariners’ bullpen, but an elbow injury forced him to undergo surgery in May 2024, putting his career on hold. Now, after months of grueling rehabilitation, Brash is back—and he wasted no time making an impact.
In his first outing since the injury, Brash showcased the same high-velocity fastball and devastating breaking pitches that made him one of the most feared relievers in the league. Clocking in at speeds touching 98 mph, his fastball exploded out of his hand, while his slider showed its signature sharp movement. Despite the long layoff, Brash’s command and poise were evident, reinforcing hopes that he can return to his elite form.
His road to recovery was anything but easy. Tommy John surgery typically requires a lengthy rehabilitation process, often taking pitchers 12 to 18 months before they can return to game action. Brash spent much of the past year working on regaining his arm strength, gradually increasing his throwing intensity through bullpen sessions and live batting practice. By February 2025, he had progressed to throwing breaking balls at near full effort, setting the stage for his long-awaited return.
The Mariners have been eagerly awaiting Brash’s comeback, as their bullpen struggled with consistency in his absence. His return adds a much-needed power arm to a relief corps that will be crucial to Seattle’s playoff ambitions. If Brash can regain his pre-injury dominance, he could once again be a game-changing late-inning weapon for manager Scott Servais.
Brash’s return is also a testament to modern sports medicine and the effectiveness of Tommy John surgery. Many pitchers who undergo the procedure return just as strong—if not stronger—than before. Mariners fans will be hoping that Brash follows that trend, as his ability to shut down opposing lineups is a game-changer for the team’s postseason hopes.
Looking ahead, the Mariners plan to ease Brash back into a regular workload. While he has proven that he still possesses elite velocity and movement, the team will be cautious about overusing him early in the season. The ultimate goal is to keep him healthy and effective throughout the long grind of the 162-game schedule.
For Brash, this return was about more than just proving he could pitch again—it was about reclaiming his place as one of the game’s premier relief pitchers. His performance in his first game back sent a clear message: he’s ready to pick up right where he left off. If his arm holds up, the Mariners will have one of baseball’s most electrifying bullpen arms back in their arsenal, and that could make all the difference in their push for October.