Mariners notebook: Hultzen returns, Paxton scheduled to start March 17

A big day for two Mariners pitchers as James Paxton threw to hitters for the first time since suffering a forearm strain while Danny Hultzen is set to throw in a game for the first time since 2013.

BY SHANNON DRAYER

Mar 11, 2015, 12:20 PM Updated: 1:33 pm

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Danny Hultzen hasn't pitched in a game since spring training in 2013 due to a serious shoulder injury. (AP)

(AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. – Wednesday is about the pitching in Peoria. Earlier today James Paxton threw to hitters for the first time since suffering a forearm strain in a fall during offseason agility drills. Paxton missed just a couple of weeks with his injury. The kid who will take the mound after Erasmo Ramirez a little later will be throwing in a game for the first time since 2013.

Danny Hultzen has looked like any other pitcher in camp this spring and that is a good if not incredible thing coming off extensive shoulder surgery in 2013. He made great progress in his rehab last year to the point where the decision was made to shut him down for the winter. He has been a cautious full-go this spring and a lot of people are excited to see him on the mound today. He is scheduled to throw just one inning but this is a huge milestone.

Danny Hultzen, Franklin Gutierrez both on long roads back to baseball

As for Paxton, his live batting-practice session on a back field went well. He threw 30 warmup pitches in the bullpen and then 30 to minor-league hitters. The breaking ball was not quite there as he was letting it go a little early and hanging it, but it and his other pitches felt good.

“I feel really good, healthy. Nothing’s wrong with my arm,” he said after the session. “When you get a guy in the box for the first time in six months, there’s a little weird, different kind of optical thing, but it’s good to get back out there and get that feeling again and get ready for games.”

Paxton has been working on a new changeup in camp. In the past he has thrown a four-seam change and he would like to incorporate a two-seamer that he can use more as a swing-and-miss pitch. He is looking to get a little more movement and a little less velocity with the new pitch.

“It’s just a matter of throwing it more,” he said of the progress with the new changeup.

Paxton remains on schedule to make his first Cactus League start March 17. Ramirez takes the hill today with Hultzen to follow for one inning.

Lineup!

Justin Ruggiano, CF
Seth Smith, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Rickie Weeks, LF
Logan Morrison, 1B
Brad Miller, SS
Chris Taylor, 2B
Jesus Sucre, C

Erasmo Ramirez, SP

Notes

• In addition to Hultzen, Yoervis Medina, Charlie Furbush, Lucas Luetge, Tom Wilhelmsen and Fernando Rodney are scheduled to get work today.

• With Felix Hernandez pitching to minor leaguers on Sunday, Roenis Elias will get the start Sunday against the Dodgers.

• Guests for “The Cactus League Report” tonight from 6-7 include Mike Zunino, Brad Miller, Taijuan Walker and Patrick Kivlehan.