When Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton exited in the first inning of Thursday’s start with, fear immediately struck Seattle. On Friday, the Mariners received good news on Paxton’s injury status.
While the 29-year-old will hit the disabled list, the revelation that it’s just lower-back stiffness and it shouldn’t keep him out for an extended period of time.
#Mariners good news. Paxton (lower back stiffness) who exited after 2/3rds of IP Thur. Dipoto told me he'll go on DL, but plan was with AS break and IP build up to push back anyway. Sked to start v. #SFGiants 4th game of 2d half. Dipoto: "We don't think it is a lingering issue."
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 13, 2018
The southpaw has been phenomenal this season for Seattle. Before his most-recent start, Paxton had a 3.49 ERA and 154 strikeouts in 118.2 innings pitched. His stay on the disabled list should end during the team’s series against the San Francisco Giants.
While Seattle avoid a season-altering injury, this should serve as further proof for the front office that they need to upgrade their rotation.