Mariners news: James Paxton gets heartbreaking injury update

After leaving his first start of the season, Tommy John surgery has been recommended for Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton.

The Seattle Mariners had reunited with former pitcher James Paxton this offseason on a one-year, $8.5 million contract after he went unsigned by the New York Yankees. The hope was that Paxton would return to form following an injury-plagued tenure in the Bronx. Unfortunately, the injury bug struck Paxton once again in his first outing of the season on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox.

According to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, Paxton has been recommended to receive Tommy John surgery, which would sideline him for the remainder of the season.

Mariners: James Paxton’s return to Seattle ends early with looming Tommy John surgery

Paxton left Tuesday’s game after throwing a 92-mph fastball to White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn in the second inning. It was later determined he suffered a left forearm strain, and the ensuing MRI revealed that Tommy John surgery was recommended.

This was Paxton’s second stint with the Mariners, who had selected him in the fourth-round in the 2010 MLB Draft. After spending six seasons in Seattle, Paxton was traded to the Yankees in exchange for left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield, outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams and right-handed pitcher Eric Swanson.

After an impressive first season with the Yankees (despite missing time with a knee injury), Paxton underwent a hellish 2020. He underwent a microscopic lumbar discectomy to repair a herniated disk and to remove a cyst from his back and played in just five games before suffering a season-ending left forearm flexor strain.

If Paxton is to go through with the surgery, his 2020 campaign ends with two strikeouts and one walk on 24-pitches thrown in 1.1 innings of work. Paxton’s return had the makings for a true feel-good story. Now, it appears to be over.