Major League Baseball

Mariners' Iwakuma staying optimistic despite lat strain

Published Apr. 26, 2015 5:42 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

The Seattle Mariners will be without starter Hisashi Iwakuma for a few weeks, as the right-hander was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Saturday with a Grade 1 strain of his right lat muscle. 

Despite the setback, which the team expects will keep Iwakuma out approximately 2-4 weeks, the pitcher is maintaining a positive outlook.

As he told Adam Lewis of MLB.com:

So far in 2015, Iwakuma hasn't exactly been the pitcher he was for most of 2014. Each of his three starts have been problematic, and in his latest outing (a game the M's lost 7-5 to the Houston Astros) his velocity was noticeably decreased to the point that manager Lloyd McClendon removed him after just 71 pitches.

In Iwakuma's absence, it's unclear who will weather the load in the rotation. Young lefty Roenis Elias was called up to make the start on Sunday, but at this point the Mariners have not officially announced who will assume Iwakuma's role until he returns.

(h/t MLB.com)

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball