Mariners place Paxton on DL with back injury

The Big Maple is going to need some time off.

On Friday, the Seattle Mariners announced left-hander James Paxton will be placed on the 10-day disabled list with lower back inflammation.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said the Mariners' plan was to push back Paxton because of his innings building up anyways, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The timing of the DL stint works out well for Seattle with the All-Star break approaching.

Paxton only managed to throw 17 pitches against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday before exiting.

The 29-year-old Canadian is in the midst of a stellar campaign, posting an 8-4 record with a 3.70 ERA, 155 strikeouts, and a 1.09 WHIP in 20 starts.

Paxton threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 8.

In a corresponding move, the Mariners selected the contract of right-hander Mike Morin and also recalled pitchers Christian Bergman and Casey Lawrence, while optioning Gordon Beckham and Nick Rumblelow to Triple-A Tacoma.