HOUSTON -- Felix Hernandez's role in the Mariners' bullpen hasn't been firmly defined yet, but manager Scott Servais said the 32-year-old right-hander will be given time to adjust to the quicker warmup needed and won't be brought into the middle of innings right off the bat.
Hernandez last started on Tuesday for Seattle and was told on Thursday that he'd be shifting to the bullpen after a season-long struggle in the rotation led to an 8-10 record and 5.73 ERA in 23 starts. He chose on his own to go sit in the bullpen during Thursday night's 8-6 victory over the Astros, even though he wasn't going to pitch.