SEATTLE -- One looming question hanging over the Mariners' Spring Training back in March was whether Felix Hernandez deserved to be the Opening Day starter for a 10th consecutive year. Next spring, the question figures to be whether Hernandez still belongs in the rotation at all.
Though Hernandez wound up pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings in an Opening Day win over the Indians, the 32-year-old went on to endure the worst season in his outstanding 13-year career. After a decade as the franchise ace, the King went 8-14 with a 5.55 ERA in 29 games (28 starts), including 0-8 with a 6.