Felix Hernandez confident he'll make next start

Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez fully expects to be on the mound Friday when his turn in the rotation comes up.

The six-time All-Star departed Sunday's start in the sixth inning with a stiff right elbow, but told reporters Tuesday he feels fine and doesn't see any reason why he won't make his next start.

"It's not bad. It's a little stiff," Hernandez said Sunday. "I would say it was the long inning, that's why it got stiff. But it's not a big deal. I'll be fine for my next start. I've been worse before. I'll be fine."

Hernandez, who sits one victory shy of tying his career high of 19 wins set in 2009, owns a 3.54 ERA across 30 starts and is 4 1/3 innings away from reaching the 200-inning plateau for an eighth straight season.