The Mariners have placed righty David Phelps on the 10-day DL, per a club announcement. He’s dealing with what the team is calling an elbow impingement and is expected to be sidelined for two or three weeks. Meanwhile, the club further announced that starter Felix Hernandez has been diagnosed with shoulder bursitis that will keep him out for three to four weeks.
With the DL placement of Phelps, Seattle has cleared way for the activation of just-acquired first baseman Yonder Alonso. He’ll suit up against his former team, the Athletics, in tonight’s action.
Of course, the M’s had only just acquired Phelps, too. It certainly hurts to see the organization’s top deadline acquisition head out of action so soon after he had joined the team. That said, it seems promising that he was not deemed to have a more serious elbow issue. Since coming to Seattle, Phelps has made seven appearances, allowing two earned runs over six innings while racking up 11 strikeouts and just one walk.
Hernandez had already gone on the DL a few days ago, with the team stating at the time that he was dealing with biceps tendinitis. With the new diagnosis — a repeat of an injury that drove King Felix to the DL for about two months earlier this year — it seems a lengthier absence is to be expected. That comes at an inopportune moment, as Hernandez had picked up his output over July, working to a 3.86 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 14 walks in 35 innings.
As Seattle welcomes Alonso to the fold, it sits just one game out of Wild Card position. But the club’s pitching health and depth have continued to be a problem. Hernandez returns to a disabled list that already includes Hisashi Iwakuma and Drew Smyly. Just-added southpaw Marco Gonzales took a spot start for Hernandez, but he was knocked around. Other 40-man members who have taken starts in the majors this yearinclude Andrew Moore, Sam Gaviglio, and Chase De Jong.
Phelps!? Just another key pitcher for the Ms going down to injury. Sure feels like a cursed season! We have Zych and Vincent sharing 8th inning duties, we should be ok while he’s out, esp if Pazos can get back to his pre ASG dominance. Hope Shae Simmons can get here soon. Phelps was a stud for us
Another SP and reliver may be headed to the M’s in August
Doesn’t seem like there’s much out there. As much as I’d love Verlander I don’t see him approving a trade and it would be stupid to take on another massive salary esp since we just learned that one of our most expensive players is possibly out for the rest of the yr (2 weeks of the season at most)
Ha ha ha, Mariners about to get swept by my A’s.
Yeah ok
Not going to happen unless I’m remembering the rotation wrong Paxton should lite the A’s up
What a Juggernaut your A’s are! Oh and we missed you around here…
Lol I was thinking the same thing
Didn’t know you owned stock in the OAKLAND ATHLETICS JAF. Oh, what’s that? You don’t? Then it’s not “my A’s”.
Nice try. Scoreboard.
King Felix is the anchor to the M’s rotation… He will be missed…
I’d call Paxton the anchor for this year, but yeah tough loss
After missing one month this season Paxton has climbed up to the #5 spot in SP WAR at 4.2 (only .5 behind second pl Scherzer) – JPax is now the ace and anchor of our squad
Paxton at 3.7 and 7th… Scherzer at 5.9 and 1st.. Agree Paxton is good, but not Scherzer level.
Sale is first at 6.5
According to fangraphs – 4.2 WAR for Paxton. Scherzer is 4.7 Chris Sale is 6.5.
We’ve made due all year. Still only 1 game out. Offense is gonna be huge these next 4 series
Why does god hate the Mariners?
Not enough sacrifices to appease Poseidon?
Time to bring back Sam Gaviglio. He’s been pretty solid so far.
Note: White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon was also diagnosed with shoulder bursitis earlier this season and eventually wound up on the 60-day disabled list, missing about half the 2017 season. The 3-4 week recovery prognosis for Felix Hernandez may be an optimistic one.
There was not much of a reason to bring back Rodon quickly. He plays for the White Sox.