James Paxton, Stephen Pryor suffer setbacks

By Shannon Drayer

Mariners left-hander James Paxton has been shut down with shoulder inflammation. After experiencing what was believed to be normal triceps soreness following his first rehab assignment, the Mariners decided have him looked at by the team doctor and an MRI showed shoulder inflammation.

This could be nothing more than a result of throwing over 100 pitches (including warm-up pitches) at 100 percent effort for the first time since the injury or it could be something more. The hope is he will be able to resume throwing in five-seven days.

Stephen Pryor also saw the doctor Tuesday and was diagnosed with right shoulder impingement. He was placed on the seven-day minor league disabled list.

While Paxton and Pryor both suffered lat (latissimus dorsi) injuries, Pryor’s surgery and shutdown was due to a separate and somewhat freak occurrence as his torn lat healed improperly and reattached to the triceps. That necessitated a rare surgery to remove the tendon from the triceps and attach it to the proper place. He is the third professional pitcher to undergo this surgery and had been progressing very well up until this setback.

There is little reason to believe Paxton is heading for a similar situation with the triceps.