Skip to content

Paxton avoids serious injury after taking 96-mph line drive off pitching arm

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Seattle Mariners starter James Paxton was pulled from Tuesday's contest against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning after taking a 96-mph Jed Lowrie line drive off his pitching arm. The southpaw has subsequently been ruled as day to day with a left forearm contusion, the team announced.

(Video Courtesy: MLB.com)

He was replaced by Felix Hernandez, who made the first relief appearance of his career.

Paxton recorded one out and gave up a solo home run to Marcus Semien before being forced to leave the game. Earlier in the season, Paxton was placed on the disabled list with lower back inflammation. His status going forward will be crucial to the Mariners' chances of snapping their playoff drought, which extends all the way back to 2001. Seattle entered Tuesday's showdown trailing the Athletics by 2 1/2 games in the race for the American League's second wild-card spot.

To this point, Paxton has enjoyed a career season, which was highlighted by a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 8. Across 23 starts, The Big Maple owns a 10-5 record with a 3.63 ERA, 175 strikeouts, and a 1.094 WHIP.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox