The Seattle Mariners are a game and a half back of the second Wild Card, but they just got some bad news.
The Mariners are in the middle of a crucial four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. They lost Thursday, but came back and took game two Friday. Felix Hernandez was scheduled to take the mound on Saturday against Danny Duffy, but instead he was placed on the 10-day DL.
#Mariners put RHP Felix Hernandez on disabled list because of right biceps tendinitis. Recall LHP Marco Gonzales from Tacoma.
— Bob Dutton (@ByBobDutton) August 5, 2017
This is the second time Hernandez has landed on the DL this season. Back in April he suffered from shoulder bursitis that forced him to miss over a month. Hernandez is on his way back to Seattle to have an MRI on that bicep.
The Mariners have been one of the most injured teams in baseball. As a team they have close to 1,000 man games lost which isn’t conducive to a playoff push. On the bright side all those injuries have provided opportunity for other guys to step up.
They’re already without Hisashi Iwakuma who still hasn’t been cleared for mound activity, Drew Smyly is done for the season and Ryan Weber still has no timetable for his return. That’s just the injuries they’ve suffered on the pitching staff.
The Mariners have been here before though so it’s nothing they haven’t been dealing with all season. Either way I’m sure manager Scott Servais would love it if his guys were actually available. You’ve all heard the saying the best ability is availability. Well guys aren’t available for the Mariners, and it’s making things difficult.
Next: Salvador Perez will have MRI
If Hernandez is out for an extended period of time then all the pressure hangs on James Paxton who’s been nothing short of spectacular all season. Guys like Ariel Miranda, who has struggled as of late will be asked to step up and keep the in the playoff hunt.
If they can win this series in Kansas City they’ll still be in a good spot for that second wild card.