Mariners notebook: Felix Hernandez expects to make his next start on schedule

The final word on whether Mariners ace Felix Hernandez will make his next start on schedule will hinge on how his elbow feels after playing catch on Wednesday.

But Hernandez still harbors no doubt he’ll stay on schedule. He had no problems Tuesday in playing catch and foresees nothing preventing him from starting Friday against the Angels in Anaheim.

“It ain’t happening,” he said dismissively.

Hernandez exited Sunday’s 9-2 victory at Texas as a precaution in the sixth inning because of stiffness in his elbow. He said afterward that it’s “not a big deal,” and that he would “be throwing my next start.”

Still, this is King Felix, so manager Lloyd McClendon remains cautious.

“As we speak, yes, he is (scheduled to pitch Friday),” McClendon said. “He’ll do his normal routine. He will throw. If he’s ready to go, he’ll go. If he’s not, then he won’t go.”

If healthy, Hernandez projects to get two more starts as he pursues several personal milestones: Friday at Anaheim and Sept. 30 vs. Houston at Safeco Field.

At 18-7, the right-hander needs one victory to match his previous career high, set in 2009, and two to become the Mariners’ first 20-game winner since Jamie Moyer won 21 in 2003.

Hernandez also needs 4  1/3 more innings for his seventh consecutive 200-inning season and 15 strikeouts to reach 200 for a sixth consecutive season.

MORRISON: A NEW POP

First baseman Logan Morrison returned to Seattle in time to be present when his wife, Christie, delivered the couple’s first child.

“He made it,” McClendon said. “He was holding the baby in his arms.”

McClendon reported that Ily Sophia Morrison arrived at 5:44 a.m. Tuesday and that “everyone was doing great.” Morrison relayed the official stats: 8 pounds and 19  1/2 inches.

Morrison is expected to miss a few days on paternity leave.

PENDING CELEBRATION

The challenge this week for the Mariners is to keep the champagne on ice in the Kansas City clubhouse. The Royals entered the series with a magic number of three for clinching the American League Central crown.

Any combination of three Kansas City victories and Minnesota losses will result in the Royals’ first division title since 1985. (A year ago, they reached the World Series as a wild-card qualifier.)

So far, one day down and two to go.

SECOND WIND

Coincidence or not, Kyle Seager is on a tear since getting a one-day break from starting duty on Aug. 27 in Chicago.

Seager is batting .400 in 23 games since that respite with eight doubles, seven homers and 22 RBIs. He also has 11 walks in compiling a .466 on-base percentage and is slugging at a .722 clip.

His overall slash numbers were up to .276/.335/.466. He has already matched career highs with 35 doubles (also in 2012) and 25 home runs (2014).

MINOR DETAILS

Here’s some hope on the horizon. Two Mariners pitchers selected in the June draft were cited by Baseball America in its list of the 20 top prospects in the Arizona Rookie League.

Right-hander Nick Neidert, a second-round pick, ranked as the No. 6 prospect, and right-hander Dylan Thompson, a fourth-round pick, ranked No. 20. Both were selected after their senior year in high school.

“Neidert is an ultra-competitive strike-thrower,” according to Baseball America, “with excellent command of three pitches and impressive mound presence.

“His 90-92 mph fastball could be a plus pitch in time, and his changeup and curveball should be average offerings.”

Baseball America reported that Thompson “has a better chance to stay in the rotation than other high school pitchers debuting in the (Arizona Rookie League) this year.”

“Thompson throws his fastball at 91-92 mph, and his high-70s slider, which has some bite and sweepy shape, projects as an average offering. He also throws a changeup in the low 80s.”

LOOKING BACK

It was 18 years ago — Sept. 23, 1997 — that the Mariners clinched their second American League West crown in three years with a 4-3 victory over the Angels at the Kingdome.

The Mariners got a three-run homer from Jay Buhner in the first inning and held on for a victory behind Randy Johnson, who improved to 19-4.

SHORT HOPS

Manager Lloyd McClendon still isn’t ready to identify a starter for Saturday’s game against the Angels in Anaheim. The likely choices are Taijuan Walker or Vidal Nuno. McClendon said he might announce a choice on Wednesday. … Robinson Cano now needs just one more hit to reach 2,000 for his career and become the 14th player in history to achieve that milestone by the end of his 11th season. … Ketel Marte has a 10-game hitting streak after going 2 for 4. He is batting .385 (15 for 39) in that span. … The Mariners lead the American League with 224 extra-base hits since the All-Star Game.

ON TAP

The Mariners and Royals continue their three-game series at 5:10 p.m. (PDT) Wednesday at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Seattle lefty Roenis Elias (5-8, 4.07) returns to the rotation after skipping a cycle and will face Kansas City right-hander Yordano Ventura (12-8, 4.40).

The game can be seen on Root Sports Northwest and heard on 710 ESPN.

bob.dutton@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners

@TNT_Mariners

This story was originally published September 22, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Mariners notebook: Felix Hernandez expects to make his next start on schedule."