Seattle Mariners rumors about the future of Felix Hernandez have been a hot topic among fans of the team. Most social media groups centered on the team have fans stating that he should have already been benched for his struggles on the mound this year. That has continued ahead of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 2. His spot in the starting rotation might also be on the line.
Could Felix be done in starting rotation?
A report by the News Tribune focused on Felix Hernandez and how he has struggled this season. Hernandez was embarrassed about his last trip to the mound, where he pitched what Mariners manager Scott Servais called a "non-competitive" game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Hernandez spoke at length about that performance, which put another game in the loss column for the Mariners. "Last year I was hurt, the year before I was hurt and now I’m healthy and the results are not what I want. I just got to figure out what’s going on. I’ve been living in the middle of the plate all the time. I just got to command my fastball."
As the News Tribune stated, the "struggling Felix Hernandez knows he’s pitching for his place in Mariners’ rotation." That's an understatement as the Mariners try to break the streak of years where they have failed to make the postseason. The last time that the Mariners made the playoffs was during the 2001 MLB season. That year, the Mariners won 116 games and made it to the American League Championship series, only to fall short against the New York Yankees.
Mariners could really use King Felix
Robinson Cano is close to returning to the Seattle Mariners and could play at first base or third base when he returns from his suspension. Marco Gonzales has been key to the Mariners, pitching at an All-Star level through the first four months of the season. Then there is Edwin Diaz, who has staked a claim as one of the best closers in Major League Baseball.
Despite all this, the Mariners really need King Felix to re-emerge, otherwise, the stretch run is going to be much more difficult.
So far this season, Felix Hernandez has started 21 games for the Seattle Mariners, posting an 8-9 record, a 5.58 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.41 in 113 innings of work. Those aren't great numbers. They aren't even overall decent numbers, and Hernandez will have to pitch better than that.
It begins on August 2, when Hernandez gets a home start against the Toronto Blue Jays. If he struggles again, the team may have to remove him from the starting rotation. Erasmo Ramirez is ready to take a spot in the rotation again and the Oakland Athletics have caught the Mariners in the standings. Time has run out for Hernandez to figure things out and the fans are very restless. If Felix Hernandez fails to pitch well against the Blue Jays, it would very well be his final start in a Seattle Mariners uniform.