Taking no chances with Felix Hernandez, Mariners manager Eric Wedge said the ace’s next start will be Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, not Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“We’re going to be on the cautious side,” Wedge said before Friday’s game at Safeco Field with the Dodgers. “We’ll wait until Tuesday. He’ll have six starts either way before the All-Star break. He feels good, real good.”
Hernandez developed some back soreness, and his turn was skipped Wednesday.
In his last outing against Chicago last week, Hernandez gave up four earned runs on five hits in five innings. He allowed a season-high three homers and issued four walks, matching a season high. If not for a late rally to tie the game at 4-4 — the Mariners eventually lost 7-4 — Hernandez would have lost for the fourth time in five games.
Wedge said that Blake Beavan would start Sunday. The Mariners are off Monday, and will have three days off in a 10-day period, allowing the rotation a normal rest.
