The Seattle Mariners have struggled out of the gate this season, posting a 17-19 record and finding themselves in third place heading into Saturday’s action.
Despite playing better baseball recently, the Mariners themselves will now have to take the field for at least the next month without veteran starter Hisashi Iwakuma.
The team announced on Saturday that Iwakuma will be out four-to-six weeks with inflammation in his throwing shoulder.
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Considering there was a possibility that the 36-year-old vet might be out for a longer period of time, this isn’t necessarily horrible news.
Even then, 80 percent of the Mariners’ starting rotation is currently on the disabled list. That’s definitely not sustainable, especially in what has been a surprisingly competitive AL West this season.
Iwakuma was pitching to a 4.35 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP in six starts prior to the injury. Christian Bergman filled in for him on Friday and will remain in the rotation until Iwakuma returns.