SEATTLE -- While the nucleus of the Mariners' roster figures to remain in place next year as general manager Jerry Dipoto continues building around a core of established players returning, one change appears inevitable.
Felix Hernandez no longer can be counted on as the ace or guaranteed innings-eater he has been as he comes off an injury-plagued campaign, during which he threw just 86 2/3 innings while spending 92 days on the disabled list due to a pair of shoulder-related stints.
For a third straight year, Hernandez's ERA went up, rising to 4.36, while his innings declined.