34 Felix Hernandez SP

Hernandez (6-5) held the Athletics at bay to pick up the win Monday night, allowing one run on two hits and two walks across six innings of work. He struck out two.

There was nothing flashy about King Felix's outing, but it's hard to argue with the results. He threw 46 of his 70 pitches for strikes and was only touched up for a solo home run in his final inning. Hernandez is on track to make one more start this season, but with the Mariners already eliminated from the postseason chase, the team could opt to let him head into the offseason on a high note and focus on getting healthy for 2018. If he does make one final start, he would likely take his 4.36 ERA into Sunday's matchup with the Angels.

Hernandez (5-5) took the loss Wednesday against the Rangers, surrendering six runs (five earned) on only two hits and three walks while striking out four.

Encouragingly, he was perfect through the first three innings, but the wheels came off in the fourth as the first five Rangers reached base and Hernandez exited with the bases loaded, only to watch Andrew Albers serve up a grand slam to Rougned Odor in his place. King Felix will take a 4.57 ERA into his next start Monday in Oakland.

Hernandez could see up to three more starts before the end of the regular season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez fired 3.2 innings against the Rangers in his Thursday return from a shoulder injury and could potentially have three more opportunities to build his strength back up. The Mariners remain 3.5 games behind the Twins for a wild-card spot, and there's a possibility that Hernandez will take the mound twice in what could be pivotal season-ending road trip. He'll make his next start in a rematch versus the Rangers next Wednesday, when he'll try to up his pitch count from the 54 he tallied in his first start back.

Hernandez, pitching Thursday for the first time since late July, tossed 3.2 innings in the Mariners' victory over the Rangers. He allowed one earned run, posted a 3:0 K:BB, and did not factor into the decision.

Hernandez threw the ball well Thursday after being activated from the disabled list, but he ran into his pitch count midway through the fourth inning and was removed from the game. He will have an extra day of rest before his next start and figures to be cleared to throw around 60-70 pitches as he takes on the same Texas squad.

Hernandez (shoulder) returns from the 10-day disabled list to take the hill against the Rangers on Thursday.

Hernandez is set to make his first start since July 31, as the right-hander has spent the last six weeks recovering from right shoulder bursitis. Over the course of 13 outings this season, Hernandez is sporting a 4.28 ERA and 1.36 WHIP while touting a 69:21 K:BB. For Thursday's game, he's expected to be limited to 50 pitches, and faces a solid Texas lineup in Arlington.