In a concerning turn of events, Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo exited his start early due to a pectoral injury. After just a few warm-up pitches before the sixth inning, Woo reported discomfort and was promptly taken off the mound.

Following the game, Mariners manager Dan Wilson revealed that Woo was experiencing "a little pec tightness" and will undergo an MRI on Saturday to assess the situation further. Wilson stated that Woo had communicated his discomfort after the previous inning, prompting the precautionary decision to pull him for safety’s sake.

Fortunately, Wilson remains optimistic, believing that early intervention might prevent a more serious injury. "It’s good we caught it early; hopefully, it’s not too serious," he expressed.

Prior to his exit, Woo had dazzled on the mound, holding the Houston Astros to just one hit and one walk over five stellar innings, contributing significantly to the Mariners' 4-0 shutout victory. This win places Seattle slightly ahead of Houston in the AL West standings and sets them up for a potential first-round bye in the playoffs, particularly after winning their season series against the division-leading Detroit Tigers.

As the Mariners surge toward October, losing Woo would be a crushing blow for the team, who are riding high on momentum.

While the Mariners' rotation has been inconsistent this season, Woo has emerged as a reliable presence, boasting an impressive 3.02 ERA and a striking 26.8% strikeout rate over 181 2/3 innings. His .238 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) has certainly helped his performance, mitigating some concerns about hard hits, while his elite 4.9% walk rate ranks among the best in the league.

Perhaps most remarkable, however, is the number of innings he has logged this season, particularly given the injury issues that influenced the start of his career. After undergoing Tommy John surgery during his college days, Woo was selected by the Mariners in the sixth round of the 2021 draft. Despite setbacks in 2022 and 2023, when he missed significant time due to arm issues, he made his MLB debut last season.

An elbow inflammation injury delayed his 2024 debut until May 10, and setbacks like a hamstring strain limited him to just 121 1/3 innings last year. Fans and teammates alike will be holding their breath as they await MRI results, praying for good news regarding Woo’s health.