Iwakuma slated for final start of '13 on Wednesday

ANAHEIM -- The Mariners have set their pitching rotation for the upcoming series against the Royals at Safeco Field, and Hisashi Iwakuma will indeed make his final start on Wednesday.

The club debated shutting down the All-Star right-hander, as he's thrown a career high 211 2/3 innings, but opted to give him his last start on schedule.

Rookies Brandon Maurer and James Paxton will start on Monday and Tuesday, with Iwakuma finishing off that series. The A's come to Seattle to close out the season Friday through Sunday, but no decision has been made on starters for that set.

"We're just going to wait and see how Felix [Hernandez] goes today," manager Eric Wedge said prior to Sunday's start. "We'll keep a real close eye on him, especially early, to see how he's working."

As for the decision on not shutting Iwakuma down?

"We talked about it," Wedge said. "But in the end, he wants to pitch. He's given us every indication that he's still strong, if you look at his last three or four outings."