Paxton was close to dominant over his first two starts, allowing just six hits and three runs over 12 innings of work. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
SEATTLE — The Mariners have to be wondering if, and not when, they might ever see their five-man starting rotation healthy together this season.
Just when right-handers Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker appear to be well on the mend, Seattle had to shut down rookie lefty James Paxton due to soreness in his left lat muscle. Paxton was placed on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday, delaying a strong start to what is supposed to be his first full season in the majors.
Paxton was close to dominant over his first two starts, allowing just six hits and three runs over 12 innings of work. Dating back to a late-season call-up in 2013, Paxton owns a 5-0 record and 1.75 ERA in the major leagues.
News of his DL stint came on the same day that Iwakuma and Walker made significant steps in their rehabilitation from spring injuries.
Walker made his second rehab start of the season, throwing 84 pitches over five innings at Double-A Jackson on Wednesday, when he struck out 10 batters and allowed just three hits. Iwakuma threw off the mound for the first time during a 34-pitch bullpen session at Safeco Field before Wednesday’s game against the Angels.
The Mariners are still targeting late April for the returns of both Iwakuma and Walker, but now they’re only part of the injury story in the Seattle rotation. With three-fifths of the starting staff on the mend, the Mariners could have to get creative just to get through the rest of the month.
