Mariners ace Felix Hernandez left in the sixth inning of Sunday’s start against the Rangers due to stiffness in his right elbow, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports. The Mariners are calling it a precautionary move and expect him to make his next scheduled start next weekend in Los Angeles against the Angels.
Hernandez allowed two runs on four hits and five walks with five strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The 29-year-old has had an inconsistent year, currently holding a 3.54 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and a 185/56 K/BB ratio over 195 2/3 innings. Hernandez led the league in ERA last season at 2.14 and finished second in American League Cy Young balloting to Corey Kluber.
