Seattle Mariners Rumors: James Paxton Gets The Call
Seattle Mariners rumors about James Paxton have fans buzzing on social media. These Mariners rumors began following an impressive 16-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, May 31. The rumors began with information that Paxton could be recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. That bit of news was later confirmed in a report from MLB.com, but it hasn’t clarified what Paxton’s role with the team will be this season.
Felix Hernandez is scheduled to start the game on Wednesday, June 1, which would be his normal spot in the rotation. Beyond that, anything is possible with these Seattle Mariners rumors, especially since the team has not made a comment on why Paxton is joining the team. If James Paxton gets added to the 25-man roster on Wednesday, the team will have to make a corresponding move to clear that spot.
The most noticeable of the Seattle Mariners rumors is that something is going on with Hernandez. He has struggled recently and just gave up six runs in his last start. It could mean that Paxton has been called up to make a spot start and that Hernandez would simply get skipped this time through the rotation. As the Mariners are traveling to San Diego to play the Padres, the team won’t need to use a designated hitter. This could allow the team to carry an extra pitcher for a few days.
James Paxton has been working on his mechanics with Triple-A Tacoma after he lost his spot in the starting rotation to Nathan Karns. Karns was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay rays that sent shortstop Brad Miller down south. Karns then out-performed Paxton during Spring Training to take his spot on the 25-man roster. During his time in Tacoma this season, Paxton has made 10 starts, posting a 3.97 ERA, 1.154 WHIP, and a 4-3 record over 47 2/3 innings of work. They aren’t stellar numbers, but tteydrgood enough to get another promotion.
Over parts of three seasons with the Mariners, Paxton has pitched 165 innings in 30 starts. He has a combined record of 12-8, a 3.16 ERA, and a 1.255 WHIP with the team. This will be the fourth season he has played for the Mariners, and he is currently 26 years old. What he now has to do is prove that he deserves more than just a cup of coffee with the team this year. Should he look really good in his first appearance, the possibility is there that he could remain on the 25-man roster.
It’s important to address the Seattle Mariners rumors about Felix Hernandez. While there has been a lot of chatter online that he is dealing with an issue, that has not been confirmed by the team. The official statement is still that he is in line to make his next scheduled start on June 1. If the plan is to change that and insert James Paxton into the rotation, the announcement will likely come early in the day on June 1. That is also when the team will be required to remove someone from the 25-man roster.
With the way the current 25-man roster stands, there are a few different ways that the Mariners could go on Wednesday. The team could decide to demote Stefen Romero or Shawn O’Malley, but that would give the team one fewer outfielder in these National League games. The less likely scenario is that Paxton replaces someone currently in the bullpen, as most of the pitchers have been doing well lately. The option fans might dread the most is for the Mariners to place Felix Hernandez on the disabled list as Paxton takes over his spot in the rotation.
The Seattle Mariners have taken two games from the San Diego Padres to start out the week at Safeco Field and will now travel to California to play two more against them. The team is hitting very well and will look to carry that momentum on the road.
[Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images]
