Paxton throws 'pen session, readies for rotation return

CLEVELAND -- Rookie left-hander James Paxton threw a 45-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday at Progressive Field and appears poised to rejoin the Mariners to fill a rotation opening Saturday at Baltimore.

The Mariners currently only have four starters on their 25-man roster, but Paxton is traveling with the team after making his third Minor League rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Tacoma. Manager Lloyd McClendon is waiting to see how Paxton bounces back after his normal between-start throwing session Wednesday, but all signs point to the 25-year-old getting the nod.

"In my mind, I'm ready to compete," Paxton said when asked if he was prepared to start Saturday.

The 6-foot-5 southpaw has been on the disabled list since April 8 after straining the lat muscle behind his left shoulder during his second start of the season against the Angels. Paxton won that game and is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA this season and 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA in six Major League starts since his debut last September.

After being shut down in late May following his initial rehab start, Paxton is pleased that everything is progressing smoothly this time.

"I was throwing all my pitches where I wanted to throw them today, my mechanics felt smooth, everything was coming out at the right time. It felt good," he said. "It's a good feeling. I've been waiting a long time. To be able go out there and throw as hard as I want and not have any pain at all or any tightness the next day, it feels really good."

Paxton is surprised his return has taken this long, but has maintained a positive approach throughout.

"Honestly, I thought it would be a shorter rehab then it ended up being," he said. "I had that little setback there that took some time. But I'm just happy to be back where I am now and feeling normal again."