SHANNON DRAYER

Mariners will take whatever they can get from Felix and Paxton in Texas

Sep 10, 2017, 5:16 PM | Updated: 5:45 pm

James Paxton will start the Mariners' series opener in Houston on Friday. (AP)...

James Paxton will start the Mariners' series opener in Houston on Friday. (AP)

(AP)

Felix Hernandez and James Paxton will make their returns in Texas.

Felix, who has been out since Aug. 2 with a second bout of shoulder bursitis, is scheduled to pitch for the Mariners against the Rangers on Thursday. On Friday, Paxton will start the series opener against the Astros in Houston. It will be his first game since he exited his Aug. 10 start with a pectoral muscle strain.

“We are hoping those guys will make four starts for us and hopefully all four are important,” said manager Scott Servais.

Mariners fall short of sweep, lose 5-3 to Angels

Ariel Miranda will start the game Monday in Arlington with Marco Gonzales getting the start Tuesday. Mike Leake will go Wednesday and be followed by Hernandez and Paxton. With Felix limited to around 50 pitches in his return it most likely will be Andrew Albers who follows him out of the bullpen.

“We’ve got different guys who can bridge the gap or be our long guy. Albers has done a great job for us so he will probably pitch after him,” said Servais.

Andrew Moore is another candidate to “piggy back” either start.

With the minor league seasons ending last week there is nowhere to send Paxton and Hernandez to get rehab starts, so they will face big leaguers coming off the DL. While both will have their pitch counts limited, with the team three games out of the second wild card spot the Mariners will take whatever they can get from the two pitchers.

“The biggest thing is get those guys out there and hopefully they feel good, healthy and we can build on that for the next one,” said Servais.

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 6:40pm

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners’ young core, now veterans, fueled by last year’s letdown

Falling back can be a part of growing up, and for the once young core of the Seattle Mariners, it is now part of their DNA.

22 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Gabe Speier...

Shannon Drayer

Inside how the Mariners’ pitching lab gets most out of relievers

With two of the Seattle Mariners' best relievers beginning the season on the injured list, the team's “pitching lab” has perhaps never been needed more.

3 days ago

Seattle Mariners Dominic Canzone...

Shannon Drayer

Breakdown: What Mariners bring north this year is very different

How is the group the Seattle Mariners are bringing north from Arizona? Insider Shannon Drayer details the roster -- and some thoughts from clubhouse leaders -- after 40 days at spring training.

4 days ago

Seattle Mariners Emerson Hancock...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer’s Mariners Notebook: Expectations for demoted players, more

Shannon Drayer details plans for the players not making the Seattle Mariners' opening day roster and much more in her latest notebook.

6 days ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh Julio Rodríguez...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: A look around the diamond as Mariners near opening day

Let's take a trip around the diamond with thoughts on each position as the Seattle Mariners are less than a week from the start of 2024.

7 days ago

Mariners will take whatever they can get from Felix and Paxton in Texas