ANAEHIM -- With James Paxton dealing with a mild bout of pneumonia, the Mariners will start left-handed long reliever Roenis Elias in Friday night's game against the Angels.
The Mariners waited until Friday morning to announce Elias would be the opening pitcher in what manager Scott Servais says will be a bullpen game for his club.
The 30-year-old southpaw hasn't made it through more than 3 2/3 innings in two previous starts this year, but he threw five innings in long relief on Aug. 29 vs. San Diego. He is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 18 total appearances since being reacquired from the Red Sox on April 23.
Two of Elias' relief outings have come in three scoreless innings of relief against the Angels, with three hits allowed. He picked up the win in a June 13 meeting against the Halos by pitching the final two innings of an 8-6 victory.
Elias has made 52 prior starts in his MLB career, going 15-22 with a 4.28 ERA.