Mariners ace Felix Hernandez was still having problems with his back on Sunday and his status for his next start Wednesday in Anaheim may be becoming less certain as the club waits to see how he recovers in the next day or two.
Hernandez went just five innings and 85 pitches in his last outing on Friday against the White Sox after "tweaking" his back during the third inning. The issue seemed minor at the time, but manager Eric Wedge took him out when his fastball started getting up in the fifth and he gave up a pair of home runs.
Hernandez's back was tight on Saturday and Sunday and he continued getting treatment.
The Mariners have an off-day Thursday, but with Hernandez scheduled to throw Wednesday, that doesn't affect his status. Rookie Erasmo Ramirez is a potential fill-in candidate in Triple-A Tacoma, but he started on Saturday and threw 103 pitches in a six-inning victory and would be on just three days rest if he threw Wednesday.
- Mariners.com
