Mariners notebook: James Paxton’s start pushed to Tuesday in Anaheim
Aug 14, 2016, 12:50 PM | Updated: 2:19 pm
OAKLAND – It appears James Paxton’s next start for the Mariners will be pushed, not scratched. Paxton checked out of his Saturday bullpen feeling fine and manager Scott Servais believes he should be good to go Tuesday in Anaheim.
“I feel good about where he’s at right now,” Servais said Sunday. “I would be very shocked if he didn’t make the start on Tuesday.”
Paxton suffered an elbow contusion when hit by a comebacker in the Mariners’ win over the Angels on Aug. 7. Though he felt a bit of stiffness from the bruise during the bullpen session, the swelling is almost gone and he threw the ball pain free. Paxton played catch with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr. Sunday morning and was declared ready to go.
The Wednesday starter is yet to be announced. It will either be southpaw Ariel Miranda or righty Joe Wieland. Whether or not Miranda is pressed into service out of the bullpen Sunday will most likely determine who makes that start. For now, here’s the rotation for next week: Felix, Paxton, Miranda/Wieland, Hisashi Iwakuma.
Notes:
• Seth Smith was originally in the lineup Sunday as the DH but was scratched two hours before the game with a bruise on his foot. Smith fouled a ball off the foot in his final at-bat Saturday night.
• Kyle Seager’s brother had a huge day yesterday. No, not Corey, but Justin, who plays for the Mariners single-A affiliate, the Bakersfield Blaze. Justin went 3-for-6, with 7 RBI and 2 home runs, including a game-tying grand slam in the ninth. It was his first multi-home run game. The Blaze beat Lake Elsinore 14-13 in 11 innings and, in something that can only be seen in the minor leagues, because of a Bakersfield curfew the fireworks show scheduled for after the game was launched during the game. Good stuff.
• Get ready for the M’s Olympics. While the details have yet to be released, the team has been wearing M’s Olympic t-shirts in green, blue, red and yellow. The opening ceremonies will take place when the team returns to Seattle, with first-base coach Casey Candaele playing a prominent role in the ceremonies. So hilarity should ensue. I have heard the various events will include pool, clubhouse hoops shooting, water balloon catching and fungo golf. Servais and the coaching staff are looking to keep things loose as the season progresses.
