Mariners’ Scott Servais: Felix Hernandez working out ‘very seriously,’ mental state is ‘angry’

One thing that could make a huge difference for the Seattle Mariners in 2017 is a bounce-back year from Felix Hernandez, whose production has slid the last two seasons.

The 30-year-old Hernandez is coming off his worst season since 2008 – one that was interrupted by a month-long stint on the disabled list due to a calf injury – and Mariners manager Scott Servais told 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Salk” that has driven “The King” to amp up his offseason workouts.

“Felix has been working out very, very seriously,” Servais said. “I think he’s in a different spot … and checking in with Felix, he’s getting after it.”

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The concentration for Hernandez has been his legs and durability, according to Servais.

“He knows kinda where his deficiencies were – get a little bit stronger in the lower half and try to maintain throughout the season a little bit more,” Servais said.

Hernandez has been working with the same personal trainer that has worked with Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz, who Servais referred to as Iron Glenn. The Mariners skipper has been in touch with the trainer throughout the offseason, and he got a good sign out of that correspondence.

“I asked Iron Glenn the other day what was Felix’s mental state, and he shot me one word back. He said: ‘Angry.'”

Check 710Sports.com for more from Servais’ interview with “Brock and Salk,” which you can listen to in full here.

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