Seattle Mariners fans held their breath as right-handed pitcher Bryan Woo was removed from his start prematurely.Woo left teh game after experiencing discomfort during warm-up pitches before the sixth inning. Manager Dan Wilson told the seattle Times’ Ryan Divish that Woo reported “a little pec tightness” and will undergo an MRI on saturday to determine the severity of the issue.

According to Wilson, Woo frist mentioned the discomfort after the fifth inning. The warm-up pitches were a test to assess the situation before making the decision to pull him. Wilson expressed hope that the early detection might mean Woo avoided a more serious injury, but the MRI results will provide more clarity.

Woo had been pitching exceptionally well, allowing only one hit and one walk in five shutout innings against the Astros. The Mariners’ bullpen secured a 4-0 victory,placing seattle ahead of Houston in the AL West standings and positioning them for a first-round bye after winning their season series against the AL Central-leading Tigers. With the playoffs approaching, an injury to Woo would be a significant blow to the Mariners.

Woo’s Performance and Injury History

“a little pec tightness”

Despite the team’s rotation facing challenges this season, Woo has been a consistent performer, enjoying his best season to date. Prior to this game, he boasted a 3.02 ERA and a 26.8% strikeout rate over 181 2/3 innings. A .238 BABIP has contributed to his success,helping him manage hard-contact issues,while his notable 4.9% walk rate ranks among the league’s best.

The fact that Woo has pitched 186 2/3 innings is notably noteworthy, considering his past injury concerns. He was recovering from Tommy John surgery when the Mariners drafted him in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. Arm injuries also sidelined him in 2022 and 2023, although he made his MLB debut in the latter season. Elbow inflammation delayed his 2024 debut until May 10, and he was limited to 121 1/3 innings last year due to that IL stint and a hamstring strain.