Seattle Mariners News: James Paxton Shut Down
By Todd Pheifer
The Seattle Mariners just got some bad news, as an MRI on starting pitcher James Paxton revealed that the left-hander has inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Not good news for a team that has been looking forward to Paxton’s return.
As a fan, you want to be optimistic when it comes to injuries. Unfortunately, we are talking about a pitcher and a throwing shoulder. Typically you don’t want to hear “pitcher,” “injury” and “throwing shoulder” in the same sentence.
Will Paxton eventually put this challenge behind him and live up to the hype that has followed him over the last few years in the minors? One can only hope. Unfortunately, we have seen talented pitchers have their careers cut short due to these types of physical problems.
Just ask Danny Hultzen.
Paxton will be shut down for 5-7 days and then re-evaluated. Meanwhile, the organization has to hope that the injury bug will be purged from the “big 3” prospects since Paxton, Hultzen and Taijuan Walker are all injured right now.
Walker is seemingly on the road to recovery, but that won’t mean much if the gem of the farm system also experiences some form of discomfort in his rehab start. Both pitchers will be needed if the Mariners are going to make a serious run at the Wild Card in 2014.
Besides, the Mariners need to find someone who can take Brandon Maurer‘s spot. The young righty is 1-3 with a 6.99 ERA in six starts this season. Not good.
Heal up, fellas. Get back soon.