Mariners notes: James Paxton shut down after injury

SEATTLE – The news Saturday on Seattle Mariners’ lefty James Paxton wasn’t particularly good. Two weeks of no throwing. A complete shutdown. And then a reevaluation.

Paxton was diagnosed Friday with a strained tendon in the middle finger of his pitching hand after leaving Thursday’s 5-3 loss to Cleveland in the fifth inning.

“I’m trying to stay positive,” Paxton said. “I’ve just got to do my best to let it rest and get back as soon as possible.”

As soon as possible likely doesn’t mean soon.

Even assuming Paxton is able to begin throwing in two weeks – the absolute best-case scenario – he would likely require another two-to-three weeks, minimum, before he is able to rejoin the rotation.

The Mariners are already dealing with an injury to right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, who isn’t expected back from a strained back muscle until after the All-Star break.

Paxton is 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA in 10 starts but brought a 20-inning scoreless streak into Thursday’s game against the Indians.

The Mariners, barring a trade, appear likely to fill Paxton’s slot in the rotation Tuesday by summoning either Mike Montgomery, 25, or Justin Germano, 32, from Triple-A Tacoma to face the New York Yankees.

Growing ‘K’ count

The Mariners entered Saturday’s game looking to avoid a dubious franchise first: Striking out 10 or more times in four successive games against the opposing starting pitcher.

The current streak started Wednesday at Tampa Bay when Chris Archer struck out 12 in eight innings.

Overall, the Mariners, through Friday, had 384 strikeouts in 48 games – an average of 8.0 per game.

Two return

Robinson Cano was back at second base Saturday after a two-game absence because of an ear infection. … Lefty reliever Joe Beimel was reinstated him from the restricted list.