James Paxton tossed a bullpen session in front of Seattle Mariners coaches on Tuesday in Houston, his first since rejoining the team after recovering from a combination of influenza and pneumonia.
But the Mariners’ ace is not ready to rejoin the starting rotation. At least not on this road trip.
“Energy-wise he still feels a little down,” Mariners manager Scott Servais told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
Just like Paxton, Servais said they won’t factor Felix Hernandez into the rotation until after their off day on Thursday.
Paxton threw 40 pitches on Tuesday, but not at 100 percent.