SHANNON DRAYER

Mariners’ James Paxton knocked from start after being hit in left arm

Aug 14, 2018, 8:09 PM | Updated: Aug 15, 2018, 9:38 am

Mariners LHP James Paxton took a comebacker off his throwing arm Tuesday night. (AP)...

Mariners LHP James Paxton took a comebacker off his throwing arm Tuesday night. (AP)

(AP)

OAKLAND, Calif. – The buzz around the return of Robinson Canó wore off quickly with the sight of James Paxton being knocked out of the Mariners’ game against the A’s.

Stelton: Canó isn’t the only bat Mariners should be bringing back

Just three batters in, Paxton was struck on the left arm by a ball that came off the bat of Jed Lowrie at 96 miles per hour. Paxton grabbed his arm and doubled over briefly after being hit, then turned and walked slowly toward second base as trainers and manager Scott Servais ran to check on him.

The Mariners announced during the game that an X-ray on Paxton’s injury was negative and that he is day to day.

A few seconds after Lowrie’s hit struck Paxton, Félix Hernández sprinted from the dugout to the visitor’s bullpen located down the right field line. He was quickly redirected to the stadium mound as Paxton was leaving the game.

Félix, who lost his spot in the starting rotation less than a week ago, was pressed into action, making his first career appearance out of the bullpen as an emergency replacement. As such, he was given all the time he needed to get ready.

After a few words from pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., Félix began to stretch and then play catch with catcher Mike Zunino. In a sight you don’t normally see, Stottlemyre stayed with him for the complete warmup. Most relievers have been in similar situations and know how to get ready quickly. For Félix, it was clear Stottlemyre wanted him to take his time as this was uncharted territory for the former ace.

Félix walked Oakland cleanup hitter Khris Davis, the first batter he faced, on 10 pitches, but then got a double play ball off the bat of Matt Olson (who pinch hit for Mark Canha when the left-handed Paxton left the game) to end the inning. He followed up with a quick 1-2-3 second inning. His routine has been altered in the last week as he now throws daily with the relievers and was up in multiple innings in Sunday’s game against the Astros. He will be needed for significant innings in this ballgame and possibly beyond.

This isn’t the first time Paxton has encountered an injury like this. In 2016, he was hit in the left arm by a comebacker off the bat of the Angels’ Andrelton Simmons that forced him to miss 16 days with a contusion.

Paxton explains what makes Mariners closer Edwin Díaz so great

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
High 66° | Low 43°
Roof is open
Rockies at Mariners today at 1:10pm

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners Notebook: Opening day starter set, plus a pitch clock wrinkle

Shannon Drayer details the makeup of the Seattle Mariners' planned 2024 starting rotation and opening day starter, plus much more from Arizona.

10 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Logan Gilbert...

Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners Notebook: Checking in on the pitchers

Seattle Mariners' Shannon Drayer caught up with Logan Gilbert after a good outing, and has notes on Luis Castillo, Matt Brash and more.

1 day ago

Seattle Mariners Scott Servais...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: How Mariners and Servais view start of season differently

After some slow starts in years past, the Seattle Mariners plan to approach the start of the season differently, Scott Servais says.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners Lazaro Montes...

Shannon Drayer

Drayer: Why 2 young Mariners prospects are of particular interest

Recent iInternational free agent signings Lazaro Montes and Felnin Celesten are two Seattle Mariners prospects worthy of attention.

3 days ago

Seattle Mariners Harry Ford...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners vets show they have the backs of top prospects

"This group of veteran players on our team is probably the most open with young players as any group I have ever been around," Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said.

4 days ago

Seattle Mariners Gregory Santos...

Shannon Drayer

Mariners’ Gregory Santos has setback, but may have avoided worse injury

New Seattle Mariners reliever Gregory Santos is still dealing with a lat issue, though the hope is that he stopped throwing at the right time.

7 days ago

Mariners’ James Paxton knocked from start after being hit in left arm