Mariners place LHP James Paxton on 10-Day DL
Jul 13, 2018, 12:37 PM | Updated: 5:49 pm
Mariners' Paxton was forced to leave Thursday's game after facing just five batters. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners have placed left-handed pitcher James Paxton on the 10-day DL with lower back inflammation, the team announced Friday.
Paxton was forced to exit Thursday night’s game against the Angels in the first inning after experiencing stiffness in his lower back. Paxton is 8-4 with a 3.70 ERA this season. This is his first DL stint of the year.
Paxton joins right-handed pitcher Félix Hernández, who was placed on the DL Tuesday with lower back stiffness.
Mariners has planned to give Paxton extra time coming out of the break. Would be eligible to pitch 4th game back. I would think they push him to 5th game which would line him up for the Astros series.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) July 13, 2018
710 ESPN Seattle’s Shannon Drayer reported Thursday evening that Paxton’s back issue isn’t a major injury. With the All-Star break right around the corner, the DL stint is primarily being used to award rest time for the M’s ace. It also allows Seattle to utilize an extra roster spot.
The Mariners announced several additional roster moves. The team selected right-handed pitcher Mike Morin from Triple-A Tacoma, and also recalled right-handed pitchers Christian Bergman and Casey Lawrence.
Optioned to Triple-A Tacoma were infielder Gordan Beckham and right-handed pitcher Nick Rumbelow.
Bergman will start for the Mariners in their series opener against the Rockies Friday night. The 30-year-old right-hander pitched 7.0 scoreless innings in his single stint with the Mariners on May 16. Bergman was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma after that debut, and since then is 3-3 with a 5.87 ERA.
