Hisashi Iwakuma will make his first start of the season for the Seattle Mariners on Saturday against the Houston Astros.

Iwakuma strained a tendon in the middle finger of his right hand when he caught the finger trying to retrieve a ball from some netting while working out Jan. 20 in Southern California.

The injury did not require surgery, but Iwakuma wore a splint and was not allowed to resume throwing until late March.