Felix Hernandez MRI Reveals Grade 1 Lat Strain
By Michael Luciano
The long, slow, sad decline of former Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez has hit yet another low. After two consecutive poor outings against the Yankees and Red Sox, Hernandez suffered a Grade 1 lat strain.
King Felix will be shut down for a short time, meaning an IL stint is all but assured.
Felix Hernandez has a grade 1 lat strain. Said he was relieved it was not worse. Felt it on the final pitches he threw Sat. Will be shut down for a short time.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) May 14, 2019
Hernandez could conceivably miss between 4-6 weeks. On a Seattle rotation already lacking depth this is yet another speed bump they will need to overcome.
Ever since the 2017 season, Hernandez has continued to decline from ace to serviceable starter to below-average to horrible. In just eight starts, Hernandez has a ghastly 6.52 ERA and has surrendered nine home runs in 39 innings.
Soft tossing left hander Wade LeBlanc is the favorite to take his rotation spot.
Servais says Felix Hernandez likely out 4-6 weeks with the Grade 1 lat strain. Won’t throw at all for a couple weeks. Wade LeBlanc will likely move back into rotation this weekend.
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) May 14, 2019
It's sad to see Felix like this. Hopefully he can get healthy and recapture the magic from the mid 2010s, but that is looking more and more like a pipe dream with every passing season.