SEATTLE -- Manager Scott Servais reaffirmed on Tuesday that Hisashi Iwakuma won't throw for the Mariners again in 2017 and the right-hander is weighing treatment options with doctors.
"We've got 12 games left, I can't imagine that he'd be able to make it," Servais said. "He would have to start a game, and I don't see that happening at this point. Disappointing for him and myself, our team. He had a tremendous season last year and unfortunate things happen and he just couldn't get over the hump with the injury."
Iwakuma has been on the disabled list since May 7 with inflammation in his right shoulder. The 36-year-old starter inched closer to returning in late June with a pair of Minor League rehabilitation starts, but his throwing program was shut down in early July due to discouraging results and continued discomfort in his shoulder. He returned to throwing, including a recent simulated game facing live hitters at Safeco Field on Sept. 10, but hasn't made enough progress to pitch for the Mariners again this season.
Iwakuma remained optimistic throughout the season and continued throwing and rehabbing, even when his progress was at a standstill and his return appeared bleak.
"He's worked his tail off," Servais said. "Nobody's worked harder than he has, trying everything he could to get back and help contribute to our team."
Worth noting
• David Phelps underwent a successful surgery last week to repair a bone spur in his right elbow. The procedure was performed by orthopedic surgeon David W. Altchek in New York City.
Phelps said his recovery time will be six to eight weeks and he'll go through his offseason throwing program as planned in preparation for 2018.
"The reassuring part is that the arm is stable, the ligament is good, everything else was good," Phelps said. "The timing was frustrating, obviously, but I'll be ready to go next year and hopefully be a big part of a winning season."
• Right-handed reliever Tony Zych, who's been on the 10-day disabled list since Aug. 20 with a right elbow flexor bundle strain, has been playing catch and receiving treatment, according to Servais.
"We'll see where he is today and how close he is to getting on the mound," Servais said. "Hopefully we get him back by the end of the year."
• Right-hander Dan Altavilla will be unavailable for the next few games due to a line drive that struck his right ankle on Saturday against the Astros.
• The Mariners haven't announced a starting pitcher for Saturday's matchup against the Indians, but the options include Marco Gonzales, Andrew Moore and Andrew Albers. All three could be employed in relief roles if the situation calls for it in the four games prior to Saturday, especially with James Paxton and Felix Hernandez on 70-80 pitch limits on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.