The Mariners Friday recalled RHP Andrew Moore from AAA Tacoma to take the roster spot of LHP James Paxton, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left pectoral muscle. The loss of their best pitcher (12-3, 2.78 ERA) was a huge blow to a team that had reached wild-card level for the first time this season.
“It could be three weeks,” Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters before the game. “Obviously, It’s disheartening news. No doubt. It’s been a crazy season with all the injuries. To put ourselves in the position we’re in right now, a lot of it has had to do with James Paxton. There’s no doubt. He’s been really, really good.”
Paxton, 28, left Thursday’s game with a strained left pectoral muscle in the seventh inning. Paxton tied a franchise record by winning seven consecutive starts. That streak ended when Paxton took a no-decision in a 6-3 loss.
Paxton was named American League Pitcher of the Month for July after going 6-0 with a 1.37 ERA. He became the first Mariners pitcher to win six games in a single month.
This is Paxton’s second stint on the disabled list after also missing time with a left forearm strain from May 5-30. Paxton joins Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and Drew Smyly, all projected starters coming out of spring training, on the DL
Moore, 23, was available for the second game of a four-game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. He’s 3-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts with Tacoma. In six starts with Seattle, he is 1-3 with a 5.65 ERA with 16 strikeouts and four walks over two stints (June 21-23 and July 3-28) this season.
His win came in his MLB debut June 22 vs. Detroit. He began the season with AA Arkansas where he went 1-2 with a 2.08 ERA in six games before being promoted to Tacoma May 8.
In three minor league seasons in the Seattle organization, he is 17-10 with a 2.72 ERA in 59 games. The Mariners selected Moore in the second round (72nd overall) of the 2015 draft out of Oregon State University.
The Mariners (59-57) entered Friday night tied with Tampa Bay for the second American League wild card berth. LHP Marco Gonzales (0-0, 12.27) started for Seattle opposite RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-12, 5.09). Gonzales seeks to become the 20th pitcher to win a game for the Mariners this season.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2234539 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2234539">5 Comments
Paxton has never pitched in more than 121 innings in the majors in a single year. He was at 119.2. This may be the strongest argument both FOR and AGAINST getting Verlander.
This guy has had one weird health history, and it’s all coincidence, which will slay all the conspiracy theorists.
Time to pound those Buds or what ever.
The rest of your Joe Schultz quote is out there, waiting for you . . .
He was too successful, too unlike a Mariner, so he’s out. A return to the norm. Ugh.
But hey, it’s football season, so rally, does anyone care? Go Huskies, Go Hawks!