This was the last things the Mariners and their fans wanted to see.
Top prospect Kade Anderson left Saturday's 8-4 win after getting struck by a 103.8 mph comebacker on his left elbow, with the southpaw in obvious pain after the blazing hit off the bat of the Angels' Christian Moore .
Anderson tried to walk it off but had to be pulled from the game. He was diagnosed with a forearm bruise.
He allowed no runs and struck out four in 3 ⅓ innings before relief pitcher Michael Rucker replaced him.
Anderson stayed in the Mariners' dugout rather than heading to the clubhouse for further evaluation.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson, middle, is tended to by training staff after getting hit by a ball on his throwing arm during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Mariners' 2025 first-round pick brought a dose of excitement to an otherwise underwhelming season for last year's AL runner-up.
Anderson was called up to the majors in late August after winning 10 games and posting a 1.09 ERA as a Double-A starter in Arkansas through 18 mound appearances and 93 ⅓ innings pitched.
He has shown flashes of his potential in Seattle . Across 35 ⅔ innings and seven starts, Anderson has a 3.79 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts.
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson, left, talks with assistant athletic trainer Taylor Bennett after leaving the game. AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson
Saturday night brought the scenario Mariners fans had dreaded for their young flamethrower, adding to Seattle's growing list of injuries in 2026.
Center fielder Julio Rodriguez missed a stretch of games with a concussion. All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz was sidelined for the rest of the year with knee inflammation.
Cal Raleigh landed on the injured list for the first time in his career, while a forearm injury ended Luke Raley's season after a hot start.
The mounting injuries have forced Seattle to use a whopping 115 different lineups so far this season. That's icing on the cake for chemistry and momentum in 2026.
