Mariners notebook: With James Paxton likely out, who starts vs. Astros?

ANAHEIM, Calif. – James Paxton’s fingernail is causing some big headaches. Paxton had to come out of Thursday night’s game in the second inning when the nail on his left middle finger bent back on a pitch and started bleeding.

Paxton, understandably frustrated as this is the second time this has happened this month, likely will miss his next start as a result.

“I’m not sure if he will start another time this year,” Lloyd McClendon told Rick Rizzs in their radio pregame interview.

In talking with trainer Rick Griffin, the hope is Paxton will be able to resume throwing in two days. Even if he is able to do so, it would be a stretch to get him into a Tuesday start, which is needed. As of right now the starter for all three games against the Astros next week is listed as TBA.

Roenis Elias would be on regular rest on Monday. Tuesday is up in the air. Vidal Nuno, Friday’s starter, could go on Wednesday. McClendon once again stated that Taijuan Walker is not an option if a starter is needed.

“Walker is shut down for the year,” he said. “He will not start again unless we are sitting in place on the last day to get into the playoffs.”

Paxton is hopeful he will be able to get back on the mound soon. While both he and Griffin said the nail is not quite as bad as it was the last time, it is not exactly good either.

“It’s a little bit tender today,” Paxton admitted. “Last night I still had the adrenaline going, I wasn’t really feeling much, it just looked bad. Hopefully we can get it to tack down.”

Paxton does not have a history of having nail or blister problems. Griffin believes the latest occurrence is related to the first and should heal quickly and completely in the offseason. While Paxton understands this, the situation remains frustrating.

“For some reason this nail isn’t cooperating with me right now,” he said. “My arm feels great. Just the fingernail isn’t quite right obviously.”

Lineup!

Ketel Marte, SS
Kyle Seager, 3B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Seth Smith, LF
Mark Trumbo, RF
Logan Morrison, 1B
Brad Miller, CF
Steven Baron, C

Vidal Nuno, LHP

Notes

• There was a little bit of discussion on the previous post about why McClendon went to Rob Rasmussen after Mayckol Guaipe struck out four straight batters. After the game McClendon said that Guaipe got away with a lot of pitches that were up to the righties and felt that the lefties would take advantage of that. He expanded a bit on that and the inability of a number of the young relievers who are now up to do the same in his pregame meeting with the media. It clearly has been a frustration.

“They don’t do it in Triple A, ” he said. “That’s why it’s tough to evaluate. Because you get them out pitching up in the zone because there are not quality hitters down there. You have got to have the talent to get it down.”

It goes both ways. There are reasons we have seen the numbers we have seen from some of the hitters in Tacoma this year. I think there is little question some, but not all, were feeding on similar pitching.

• Ketel Marte is now hitting .297/.366/.772 in 182 ABs. His 12-game hitting streak is the longest active streak in the majors.

Related

Ex-Seahawks safety Coby Bryant out 4-6 months after surgerySeahawks set a throwback uniform matchup vs an old rivalMariners-Yankees Lineups: No Josh Naylor for series openerSeahawks FB Robbie Ouzts to IR, will miss 2026 seasonBased on precedence, a big Mariners run should be coming soonSeahawks’ Nick Emmanwori takes big step toward return from surgery