Felix Hernandez will not make his scheduled start against the Houston Astros Wednesday night at Safeco Field as the Seattle ace continues to be hampered with an oblique strain in his left side. Hernandez will be replaced in the rotation by Brandon Maurer, who made 10 starts earlier in the season, for the final game of the series and home stand.
Hernandez was removed during his Sept. 2 start against Kansas City, following 6.2 innings, with what was described then as “cramps.” The Mariners delayed his next start until Wednesday, and now that has been delayed after Hernandez experienced stiffness in a sideline throwing session Saturday.
Hernandez worked 194.1 innings in 29 starts this season. He will be re-evaluated after the Mariners arrive in St. Louis, where they begin a three-game series Friday night.
“I think we’ll just have to really look closely at how he feels after he throws later in the week,” manager Eric Wedge told mariners.com. “I think that will be a good indicator for us of where we’re at. He’s been honest with us, which is huge. And he always has been, at least in my time here. We’ll just see how he feels and go from there. We’re not going to take any chances.”
Hernandez is 12-9 with a 3.01 ERA.
Maurer, working in a long relief role, was already scheduled to re-join the rotation, taking the spot vacated by rookie Taijuan Walker, who made his final start Monday night against the Astros. Hector Noesi will assume the long relief role.
2 Comments
The Ms should just shut him down for the year. What is there to be gained? Take a look at someone they need to make a decision on.
Good grief are the Mariners still playing?