Mariners’ Paxton pronounces himself ‘ready’ for rehab assignment

ARLINGTON, Texas — The next step for Mariners left-hander James Paxton, after throwing 53 pitches Tuesday in a simulated game, is a minor-league rehab assignment to test his recovery from a strained back muscle.

“I’m ready for it,” said Paxton, who left an April 8 start against the Los Angeles Angels because of a strained left latissimus dorsi muscle. “I feel like I’m ready to get into some games.

“I was letting a few more go today. It’s time to step it up and get back into that game mode.”

Right-hander Taijuan Walker appears one step behind Paxton after reporting no problems in his 35-pitch simulated game. Plans call for Walker to pitch one more simulated game before heading out on a rehab assignment.

“Threw everything,” he said. “Everything felt good. My mechanics felt good. It felt like everything was in sync. My balance point was good. One of the biggest things I’ve been working on is finishing my pitches to keep … stress off my arm. I think I did that today.”

Walker said his failure to follow through properly on pitches was a major cause of the shoulder soreness that first sidelined him in February, then resurfaced in April.

“I was standing tall,” he said. “So I put that in my throwing program. Everything I do, I finish it and over-exaggerate it, so that when I’m on the mound, I’ll feel that finish.”

Coffey signed

The Mariners are about to take another chance on a recovering Tommy John patient, reaching agreement with veteran right-handed reliever Todd Coffey on a minor-league deal.

Coffey, 33, missed all of last season after undergoing reconstructive-elbow surgery but recently held a workout for scouts. Jeff Passan of yahoo.com reported Coffey’s fastball hit 91-92 mph with a slider between 82 and 84 mph.

Plans called for Coffey, who is recovering from his second elbow surgery, to head to Arizona to undergo a physical either today or Thursday. Coffey is 25-18 with a 4.10 ERA in 461 games over eight years with four clubs.

Short hops

Reliever Tom Wilhelmsen carried a scoreless streak of 12? innings into the series against the Rangers. It was the longest current scoreless streak by an American League reliever. … Prior to Tuesday’s game the Mariners’ pitching staff was limiting opponents to a .205 batting average with runners in scoring position. Only Oakland, at .185, was better among AL clubs. … Tuesday began a stretch of 16 games in 16 days for the Mariners. … Outfielder James Jones entered Tuesday’s contest with at least one hit in each of his first 10 career starts. That matched a club record set by Edgar Martinez in 1987. Jones also had a nine-game hitting streak overall. No Mariners rookie has had a 10-game hitting streak since Dustin Ackley and Mike Carp in 2011.

Sweet swing

Robinson Cano is featured in the latest installment of Major League Baseball’s “For the Love of Baseball” campaign. Here’s an online link to the 30-second spot: http://atmlb.com/1jzRxQ3.

Cano’s “sweet swing” is highlighted by superimposing six different videos of him hitting pitches in different parts of the strike zone. Previous spots featured Bryce Harper, Clayton Kershaw, Andrew McCutchen, David Price and Mike Trout.

Looking back

It was a year ago today — May 21, 2013 — that Angels outfielder Mike Trout became the youngest player in American League history to hit for the cycle in a 12-0 romp over the Mariners at Angel Stadium. Trout went 4-for-5 and his cycle came at an age of 21 years, 287 days. It was sixth time an opponent had hit for the cycle against the Mariners.

On tap

The Mariners conclude their two-game stay in Texas at 11:05 a.m. PDT today at Globe Life Park. Right-hander Chris Young (3-1 and 3.22 earned-run average) faces Texas right-hander Nick Tepesch (0-0, 1.69). The Mariners return home Thursday for the start of the season’s longest homestand: 11 games. They play four against Houston, four against the Angeles and three against Detroit.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.