Mariners starter Paxton out with forearm injury
The Seattle Mariners placed left-handed starter James Paxton on the 10-day injured list with a forearm strain in his pitching arm.
Manager Scott Servais said Paxton had an MRI on Wednesday morning and the team was still awaiting results. Paxton left in the second inning of Tuesday’s loss to the Chicago White Sox after just 24 pitches, grimacing after throwing a 92 mph fastball to Andrew Vaughn. It was the first start of his second stint with Seattle.
“Leaving last night he was a little bit more optimistic that it wasn’t anything too serious. I know he woke up today and it’s stiff as expected,” Servais said of Paxton. “Really, it’s hard to speculate until you know exactly what’s going on there and the only way you’re going to know is you get the reading on the MRI.” SPRINGER’S JAYS DEBUT DELAYED >> George Springer is now dealing with another issue while waiting to make his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, after starting the season on the injured list with a strained left oblique muscle.
Springer was on track to play today in Toronto’s first home game before feeling tightness in his right quad while running the bases.
Manager Charlie Montoyo said that Springer ran the bases after taking live batting practice before Tuesday’s game. Montoyo said there were no issues with the oblique.
The 2017 World Series MVP with Houston signed a $150 million, six-year contract during the offseason.
REITZ, TOP THIRD BASEMAN, DIES >> Ken Reitz, who was born in San Francisco and played one season with the Giants but spent most of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, died recently at age 69. Reitz’s death was announced last week by his son Brett Reitz. No cause of death was announced.
A product of Jefferson High School in Daly City, Reitz was regarded as one of the best fielding third basemen in the majors and won a Gold Glove award in 1975. He was traded to the Giants in 1976 in exchange for pitcher Pete Falcone, then returned to the Cardinals in 1977 in a trade for pitcher Lynn McGlothen.
A career .260 hitter with limited speed, Reitz’s fielding prowess earned him the nickname “Zamboni” and he twice set National League records for least errors in a season with nine in 1977 and eight in 1980.
Reitz ended his playing days with two seasons for the Class A San Jose Bees in 1986 and 1987.