Mariners tookie LHP Roenis Elias, who allowed two runs and five hits in three-plus innings Tuesday night before leaving the game with the Angels, is likely finished for the season after experiencing flexor bundle tightness in his throwing elbow. Elias will return to Seattle for an MRI and miss his scheduled start Sunday.
Manager Lloyd McClendon suggested, but did not confirm, that Taijuan Walker will get the start Sunday when the Mariners close out a three-game series with the Houston Astros as part of a season-ending 11-game road trip through Anahaim, Houston and Toronto.
The 26-year-old Elias (10-12, 3.81) made his 29th start Tuesday and departed the game with a 2-0 deficit. The Mariners rallied to win 13-2. Prior to his elbow issue, Elias allowed two or fewer runs in each of his past nine starts.
Elias recorded his 10th victory of the season Sept. 4, becoming the seventh pitcher in franchise history with 10 or more wins in a rookie season. Among major league rookies, Elias ranks T4 in wins (10), third in strikeouts and second in innings pitched.
Elias threw his best game of the season June 1 against the Detroit Tigers, when he tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits, all singles. He became the first Mariners rookie to pitch a shutout since Freddy Garcia Aug. 24, 1999.
The Mariners continued their 11-game road trip Wednesday night with the third of four against the L.A. Angels. LHP James Paxton (6-2, 1.83) opposed LHP C.J. Wilson (12-9, 4.61). The Mariners entered one game behind Kansas City for the American League’s second wild card spot.
3 Comments
Sad to see Elias’ season end soon, but better safe than sorry with a pitcher’s elbow. What a pleasant surprise he’s been…did anyone expect to see him win 10 games at the MLB level this year? Elias has good stuff and I’d say after what he went through living in (and defecting from) Cuba, there aren’t too many pressurized game situations that he can’t handle either. A keeper.
I’m surrpised they let him pitch this long. I’m wondering if he’ll be the new Michael Pineda and be traded for a top prospect somewhere since Paxton and Walker are here and Danny Hultzen is waiting in the wings.
Good point. The M’s appear deep in pitching and a trade for a position player or 2 who are professional hitters would be welcomed.