Felix Hernandez exited the Mariners’ spring training game against the Chicago Cubs Monday at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ., after he was struck by a line drive on his upper right forearm. Hernandez attempted to raise his glove and protect himself from the shot off Victor Caratini’s bat, but was unsuccessful and went to his knees in obvious agony.
Hernandez left the stadium for the Mariners’ camp in Peoria after the injury. The Mariners reported that X-rays were negative, and for the moment, he is listed as day to day.
The incident occurred with one out and runner on second in the second inning. Hernandez was coming off a 1-2-3 first inning that included strikeouts of Javier Baez and Anthony Rizzo.
The 31-year-old Hernandez endured two lengthy stints on the disabled list last year while recovering from shoulder injuries that limited him to 16 starts.
Hernandez is the second Seattle starter to be hurt this spring, joining Erasmo Ramirez, who has been shut down from throwing due to a lat strain.
The Mariners pitching staff was plagued by injuries last year, forcing them to use 40 pitchers, tying a major-league record and 17 starters to get through the season.