James Paxton had an 1-2-3 first inning but left the game before the end of the season. (Getty)
SEATTLE (AP) – Lefthanded James Paxton took off the first start of his second stint with the Mariners due to discomfort in his pitching elbow after throwing only 24 pitches against the White Sox on Tuesday-evening.
Scott Servais Show: M’s manager’s takeaways at 710 ESPN Seattle
The Mariners announced the initial diagnosis off Paxton two innings after he left the game. Paxton stayed in the dugout to watch after he left the mound.
Paxton grimaced after throwing a 92 mph fastball to Chicago’s Andrew Vaughn with one out in the second inning. Mariners manager Scott Servais and a trainer immediately came to the mound as Paxton leaned forward with his hands on his knees. After some discussion, Paxton walked away and was replaced by Nick Margevicius.
Paxton, who spent the past two seasons with the New York Yankees after playing his first six years for Seattle, returned to the Mariners in February with a one-year deal worth $ 8.5 million.
He had surgery in February 2020 to repair a hernia and remove a cyst from his back. He went 2-3 last year with a 6.64 ERA in five starts for New York before being eliminated with a left forearm strain.
Paxton can earn an additional $ 1.5 million in performance bonuses for games started: $ 150,000 each for six to ten and $ 750,000 more at 11-22 starts.
Game 1: Mariners limited themselves to three hits in 6-0 loss to White Sox