M’s notebook: Servais not expecting 30 starts from Paxton

PEORIA, Ariz. — There are no limits this year on oft-injured lefty James Paxton in terms of starts or innings. Instead, Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais chooses to speak through a prism of viable expectations.

“I’d like to say he could go out there and take 30 starts,” Servais said, “but he hasn’t done it. I think you have to be realistic. If you think he’s going to run out there and throw 200 innings, make every start…it’s hard to count on that.”

Injuries limited Paxton to a combined 141 big-league innings over the last two seasons. Add another 19 2/3 minor-league rehab innings in that span and another 29 1/3 last year in the Arizona Fall League.

That’s still only 190 total innings in two years.

Paxton contends he’s healthy and ready to take his turn every fifth game.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“It’s largely going to be up to the staff for what they want to let me do,” he said. “But I feel strong. I feel really good. I’m ready to go as deep as they’re going to let me.”

Servais is open to the possibility of Paxton making 30-plus starts — assuming Paxton wins a spot in the rotation. That’s no given; he is expected to battle right-hander Nathan Karns for the final spot.

“Would I love to see it? Yes,” Servais said. “You’ve got to monitor that as the season goes along. To sit down with (Paxton) now and say, ‘Here’s the (innings) plan…’ You do that on the minor-league side.

“But at the big leagues, it’s about today’s win. Today’s win is important. It’s a much different animal than dealing with this stuff in the minor leagues.”

The industry standard suggests a pitcher’s workload shouldn’t exceed 30 innings from the previous season. That would peg Paxton at around 140 innings for the upcoming season.

But Servais points to two factors in explaining why the Mariners are open to permitting Paxton to exceed that threshold.

“He’s not coming off Tommy John (elbow reconstruction),” Servais said. “He’s not a shoulder repair. It was a finger issue. He just hasn’t pitched much. We have to be very in-tuned to what his stuff is looking like and how his body is working.

“Do you have to skip him a start? That’s where (your organizational depth) come in. You do things like that to make it work.

“And it’s his 27-year-old season. It’s time for James to pitch.”

No limits on Walker

A year ago, the Mariners shut down right-hander Taijuan Walker in mid-September because a rising innings count. This year, Walker faces no such limitations.

“I hope we’re using Taijuan Walker in October,” Servais said. “If we get to that point, that’s a good thing. Adrenaline kicks in, he’s 23 years old, and you go with it. He should be fine.”

Walker pitched 169 2/3 innings last season over 29 starts.

Breakdown candidates

Here’s some good news from the folks at MLBTradeRumors.com, who have developed a program that seeks to identify the leading candidates to undergo Tommy John surgery at some point in the upcoming season.

Only one Mariner ranks in the Top 100 candidates — Walker at No. 90 with a 2 percent chance.

There were 112 ulnar collateral ligament injuries in 2015 that required Tommy John surgery.

Short hops

The rest of the camp roster — i.e., the infielders and outfielders — is scheduled to report Wednesday for physical examinations. Most are already in camp and taking part in voluntary workouts. The first full-squad workout is Thursday. … Veteran reliever Joaquin Benoit appears to have worked through whatever back soreness limited him over the weekend. … Lefty reliever Paul Fry, a non-roster invite, threw his first bullpen workout. He missed the previous cycle because of an illness. … Lefty starter Brad Mills, another non-roster invite, is battling shoulder tendinitis. … The Mariners started their second cycle of bullpen workouts Tuesday. It is the last cycle before Friday’s shift to live batting practice.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Matthew Bereket (right) lunges in to challenge a kick from Central Kitsap freshman Eli Daniels during the Stormrays' 1-0 win in the 3A Boys Soccer State Round of 16 in Shoreline, Washington on May 22, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood boys soccer exorcises playoff demons against Central Kitsap

The top-seeded Stormrays overcome two years of upsets to beat Cougars 1-0 in 3A second round.

The Jackson girls golf team poses with the state championship trophy and sign on the 18th green of Eagle's Pride Golf Course after winning the WIAA 4A State Championship in DuPont, Washington on May 21, 2025. Pictured left to right: Coach Jerome Gotz, freshman Karen Shin, sophomore Kayla Kim, senior Paige Swander, senior Lindsay Catli, sophomore Chanyoung Park and junior Christine Oh. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Jackson girls golf wins first state title

The Timberwolves turn one-shot lead on back nine into 14-stroke victory for 4A crown.

Kamiak’s Tristan Kim putts during the 4A District 1 Boys Golf Championship at Legion Memorial Golf Course on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Kamiak Flip’ powers Knights boys golf to top-five state finish

Kamiak leverages a strong second round to win hardware as Tristen Kim finishes third individually.

Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Nick Emmanwori is embracing Kam Chancellor comparisons

Will the Seahawks use him the same way?

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 11-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 11-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a game-tying basket against the New York Knicks as time expires in the fourth quarter in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in New York. (Al Bello / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Tyrese Haliburton channels Reggie Miller, Pacers stun Knicks

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton put both of his… Continue reading

Snohomish’s Griffin Triggs and Chase Clark celebrate getting the final out to beat Bellevue in loser-out opening round 3A state game on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish baseball mounts comeback against Bellevue

The Panthers score five runs in the sixth to win 6-2 and advance to the WIAA second round.

Prep roundup for Tuesday, May 20

Mohr scores twice to lead Wildcats to state second round.

Snohomish’s Luke Davis yells after getting an out at first base during the opening round 3A state game against Bellevue on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep state tournament results and schedule

Here’s a look at what’s happening this postseason.

Jorge Polanco of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his three-run home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Seattle. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Simple approach leading to Polanco’s improvement

Despite not being 100% healthy, Polanco is off to a hot start… Continue reading

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander celebrates as the Thunder pull away in the fourth quarter Tuesday night in Oklahoma City to beat the Timberwolves. (Carlos Gonzalez / The Minnesota Star Tribune / Tribune News Services)
Anthony Edwards tried to rattle SGA, and it didn’t work.

Four minutes into a Western Conference finals headlined by… 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.