Mariners’ James Paxton placed on 10-Day DL

Things just keep getting worse for the Mariners pitching staff as James Paxton was placed on the 10-Day DL

The Seattle Mariners own the longest playoff drought in all of baseball, but this year they have a chance to end that misery. It’s going to be hard to end that drought, though, when their pitching staff keeps dropping like flies. Friday, James Paxton was added to the list of injured pitchers.

The Mariners put their ace James Paxton on the 10-day DL with a strained pectoral muscle on Friday, and is expected to miss at least three weeks. Paxton was removed from his start in the seventh inning after throwing a pitch, and immediately pointing to his chest.

This is basically the worst case scenario for the Mariners who are in the midst of a playoff race. Paxton was the one guy in the rotation who they knew would be available every fifth day, and was far and away the best pitcher on the Mariners staff.

Now Paxton joins fellow pitchers Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and David Phelps on the DL. Three-fifths of the Mariners rotation is now hurt, and it’s been a common theme throughout the entire season.

The offense will now have to produce even more runs knowing that they don’t have the pitching to compete with who they’re facing on any given night. Right now, the Mariners are in the middle of a four-game set with divisional foe Los Angeles Angels, who by the way are also in the hunt for that second wild card spot as well.

Next: Wilson Contreras expected back by September

As of now the Mariners will call up Andrew Moore from AAA Tacoma. Guys like Ariel Miranda and Yovani Gallardo will have to pitch better if they want to stay in the race.