Felix Hernandez

Felix Hernandez (5-5) was tagged with the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) on two hits and three walks over 3 1/3 innings in Seattle's 8-6 defeat to the Rangers on Wednesday night. He struck out four.

Fantasy Impact

Hernandez pitched a perfect first three innings, but then derailed in the fourth, allowing the first five Rangers to reach base. The veteran right-hander was then pulled from the game after throwing 67 pitches with the bases loaded and one out. Unfortunately for Hernandez, the three inherited runners scored when Andrew Albers, who relieved King Felix, gave up a grand slam to Rougned Odor. This was the second start for Hernandez after coming off his second visit to the disabled list this year due to a sore right shoulder. He will hope to make it beyond the fourth inning, and improve his 4.57 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in his next start, which is scheduled for Monday in Oakland against the Athletics.

Felix Hernandez will be activated from the disabled list, and is scheduled to start against the Rangers in Arlington on Thursday.

Fantasy Impact

Fernandez was placed on the disabled list on August 2 for a recurring shoulder bursitis and has been rehabbing while throwing bullpen sessions and simulated games. He has posted a 5-4 record with a 4.28 ERA and 1.36 WHIP for the year. Fantasy owners may want to take a wait-and-see approach before inserting Fernandez into their lineups, as the southpaw's first assignment will be against a potent Texas offense.

Felix Hernandez threw 35 pitches in a simulated game on Friday and subsequently felt no pain.

Fantasy Impact

Hernandez said his shoulder felt fine following the workout, and that he expects to be ready to go in five days. The veteran left-hander is rehabbing from a bursitis in his shoulder that forced him to the disabled list on August 5. He is expected to throw a side bullpen session in a few days, and if all goes well, he will rejoin the rotation either against Texas or Houston later next week, albeit on a restricted pitch count. Fantasy owners would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach before inserting him into their lineups.

Felix Hernandez reported no day-after problems Saturday after throwing a bullpen session on Friday.

Fantasy Impact

The bullpen workout was the first time Hernandez threw from a mound since renewed bursitis in his shoulder forced him to the disabled list after a July 31 start at Texas. The plans are for Hernandez to throw another bullpen on Monday and a simulated game on Sept. 8. If all goes well, the veteran left-hander could return to the rotation four or five days later on a build-up basis.

Felix Hernandez is expected to miss three-to-four weeks according to Mariners' officials. A doctor's examination on Monday confirms that the 31-year-old right-hander is suffering bursitis in his right shoulder, the same ailment that forced him to miss approximately two months of action earlier this year.

Fantasy Impact

Hernandez' injury comes at an inopportune time for Seattle, and leaves a void in the team's relatively thin starting pitching staff. It is expected that Marco Gonzalez and Erasmo Ramirez will fill in until Hernandez is able to return. King Felix was pitching suitably as of late. In his last five games he has compiled a 3.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 9.6/3.1 K/BB.