Mariners' Iwakuma to return from DL on Monday, will start vs. Tigers

After missing roughly 10 weeks with a back strain, Seattle Mariners right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma will make his long awaited return to the rotation next week.

Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon confirmed Friday that the 34-year-old right-hander will start Monday's series opener against the Detroit Tigers, his first start for Seattle since April 20.

Iwakuma, who made just three starts this season before landing on the disabled list, crafted a 1.35 ERA with a 13:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio over three rehab assignments, though he was lifted from his most recent outing for Triple-A Tacoma after developing a blister on his finger.

Still, the Japanese import allowed just one run while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings before departing, throwing 56 of his 81 pitches for strikes.

"He did OK. It was better than the last outing," McClendon said of Iwakuma's start Tuesday, when he allowed five hits and one run with six strikeouts in an 8-4 win over Las Vegas. "The velocity got better each outing. I know he touched 91 last night, and that's a good sign. He's moving in the right direction."

Before landing on the disabled list, Iwakuma stumbled to a 6.61 ERA across three starts for the Mariners, allowing five home runs in just 16 1/3 innings.