Mariners notebook: Cody Martin set to be starting pitcher No. 13
Aug 16, 2016, 6:57 PM | Updated: 7:12 pm
The Mariners sent pitcher Cody Martin down to start the season in the minors. (AP)
(AP)
ANAHEIM, Calif. – On Wednesday, Cody Martin will become the 13th pitcher to start a game for the Mariners this year. James Paxton was placed on the 15-day DL Tuesday afternoon and manager Scott Servais announced Martin would take the hill in his place.
“I think he’s handled the situations we’ve put him in very well,” Servais said of Martin on Tuesday afternoon. “He came back in the crazy comeback in San Diego, we pitched him late in the Cubs game that got away from us. He’s been a good performer in Triple-A, he’s deserving of the opportunity and we are giving it to him.”
With Martin getting the start, Joe Wieland will move to the bullpen and be available for long relief the next two days. As for Paxton, he will be eligible to come off the DL on Aug. 22, and at that point it will be a matter of figuring out which spot to slide him back into the rotation. According to Servais that will be next Tuesday or Wednesday at the earliest. The swelling in Paxton’s arm should completely subside by then and the Mariners are confident it is something that he can quickly put behind him.
“It’s not in the elbow, it’s down in the forearm,” Servais said of the swelling. “It’s worked its way down, which is very typical. It’s nowhere near the elbow. He’s going to be fine, we just want to do the right thing.”
Paxton will not be shut down – in fact he is expected to throw a bullpen either Wednesday or Thursday in Anaheim. Servais wants him to face live hitters before returning so he will have a sim game or throw a couple of innings in a rehab assignment in the next week.
Notes
• Servais said the reports on relievers Steve Cishek, Evan Scribner and Tony Zych, who all threw in rehab assignments Monday, were “all positive.” Cishek is expected to return this weekend.
• The Mariners are now 18-10 since the All-Star break, which is the second-best record in team history in the 28 games following the break behind only the 2001 team.
• We’ve seen the turnarounds with the starting and relief pitching of late; add the hitters to the list too. Since Aug. 1 the Mariners are hitting .323 with runners in scoring position.
