HOUSTON -- James Paxton has already set career highs in innings pitched and starts this year, but the big lefty still hit a few bumps in the road with a back issue and then a bruised forearm in the second half.
Now Paxton is dealing with a flu and pneumonia combo that flattened him last week, leaving his return to the rotation still in flux as the season winds down.
Paxton rejoined the Mariners on Monday in Houston, but needs to regain his energy and shake off the aftereffects of the illness before he'll be cleared to pitch in a game.