Mariners' Paxton ready to prove critics wrong

Incessant injuries have limited left-hander James Paxton to just 165 innings since his 2013 debut with the Seattle Mariners, and the beleaguered 27-year-old hopes his regular trips to the disabled list won't continue this summer.

"I think it's time for me to show that I can last an entire an entire season," Paxton told Bub Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune. "Knock on wood. Hopefully, I'm done with those (injuries) and can just move forward."

Last season, despite bruising both his forearms during spring training, Paxton opened the campaign in the rotation, but made just 10 starts before a strained finger tendon forced him to the disabled list until mid-September. In 2014, a strained lat muscle interrupted his first full season with the Mariners, limiting him to 13 starts.

A fourth-round selection in the 2010 draft, Paxton has impressed when healthy - the Canadian expat owns a 3.16 ERA (118 ERA+) in 30 MLB starts - but has also logged fewer innings over the last three years than 68 different relief pitchers.

Still, even as he's reminded of his extensive injury history, Paxton objects to those who would chalk his various medical problems up to laziness or carelessness.

"I'd say, 'You don’t know what you're talking about,'" he countered. "I can’t control a finger injury. It's not like I've blown out my elbow or shoulder. It's not because I don't work out or work hard."

Paxton conceded, however, that his lat injury from two seasons ago could've been the result of pushing himself too hard in the gym.

"I think that injury, my lat, was because I was working out too hard," he said. "I think I needed to draw back a little bit once the season started. I've learned that."

With less than three weeks remaining until pitchers and catcher report to spring training, Paxton is slated to open the season as Seattle's fifth starter after crafting a 3.90 ERA (97 ERA+) with a 1.43 WHIP over 67 innings in 2015.