The Seattle Mariners say Felix Hernandez is only expected to miss one exhibition start after he took a line drive flush on his forearm Monday in his first Cactus League start.
"It was one of those moments that stops your heart a little bit," Jerry Dipoto told the Wheelhouse Podcast. "But once we got some feedback from the training staff and doctors and ultimately took three sets of images to make sure he's in a good place, I was very encouraged when he walked in yesterday with minimal swelling, the pain was down, and there were no obvious signs of a fracture or break."
Hernandez totaled just 86 2/3 innings in 2017, his fewest since his rookie season in 2005. He had two stints on the disabled list, with right shoulder inflammation and right shoulder bursitis.
"Felix is critically important to us," Dipoto said. "I think he looks great. His breaking balls, the spin particularly with his curveball, has been in midseason form since his second bullpen. I'm very encouraged by the way he's commanding his pitches. Frankly, I thought the first inning he threw in Mesa, if Felix Hernandez shows up and does that, we're going to be very happy with the outcome."