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Seattle Mariners

Mariners Noon Number: Paxton injury could force M’s into trade action

Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, left, signals to the dugout as starting pitcher James Paxton waits on the mound during the seventh inning of the team's baseball against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Seattle. Paxton was checked by a trainer and left the game. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
By Dave Nichols daven@spokesman.com(509) 459-5441

After his 107th pitch on Thursday, James Paxton signaled to the dugout that something was wrong – though everyone watching along could tell for several pitches prior that something wasn’t right.

Paxton was working to Kole Calhoun in the seventh inning of a game he trailed at the time 3-0. On the 2-2 pitch, a 97 mph fastball, Paxton winced after the follow-through, shrugged his shoulders trying to stretch, and returned to the hill.

A knuckle-curve was fouled off, and Paxton again winced and this time went behind the mound and windmilled his left arm. Another knuckle curve was a ball, and this time after retreating behind the mound, catcher Mike Zunino trotted out, soon to be followed by manager Scott Servais and the Mariners training staff.

After a very brief discussion, Paxton left the field with the trainers and was replaced. After the game the team announced it was a left pectoral strain.

The M’s went on to lose 6-3, thanks to Mike Trout’s three-run double in the ninth inning off Edwin Diaz, but the outcome of this game was almost immaterial.

Mariners Log: Trout makes Diaz pay for wildness in ninth; Paxton leaves with injury

Edwin Diaz walked the bases loaded in the ninth inning and Mike Trout lashed a bases-clearing double and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 6-3 on Thursday at Safeco Field. | Read more »

If Paxton needs to be shut down for any length of time it would be devastating to a pitching staff that is being held together with duct tape and chicken wire.

Paxton has been its ace and anchor and the Mariners can ill afford to be without him and expect to remain contenders for a wildcard spot without trying to find a replacement before the waiver trade deadline period expires at the end of the month.

The biggest name that has been suggested in the August sweepstakes is Detroit’s Justin Verlander, who has reportedly already cleared waivers and is available via trade.

Verlander has roughly $66 million left on his contract and though a trade for a superstar like Verlander is difficult in August when any candidate for a trade must clear waivers – but it’s not impossible. The M’s would have to be really creative to land a pitcher of that stature though.

It comes down to Paxton’s health, of course, and he was scheduled to have an MRI on Friday to determine the severity of the injury. But the M’s simply can’t compete if Paxton’s out for any length of time without a credible replacement. They’re just out of MLB-caliber arms at Triple-A.