34 Felix Hernandez SP

Hernandez said his hamstring was feeling "okay" Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez exited his previous start in the fifth inning with what the doctors deemed a low-grade hamstring strain. Manager Scott Servais said it will be up to the training staff to determine whether the veteran right-hander is fit to make his next start Saturday. If not, Erasmo Ramirez would move up a day to take his turn in the rotation.

Hernandez will start against the Athletics on Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

It was previously unclear whether Hernandez would draw a third consecutive start following an impressive outing Tuesday against the Padres. King Felix was in near-vintage form while racking up nine strikeouts over a seven-inning quality start, and it's now confirmed he'll have a chance to build on his resurgent performance. A brief banishment to the bullpen earlier in August may have served as a wake-up call for the veteran right-hander, who's generated a .188 BAA and posted a 15:4 K:BB across 13 innings in two subsequent starts.

Hernandez will start Tuesday's game against the Padres, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

It will be a second consecutive start for Hernandez after a brief banishment to the bullpen. However, there's no clear indication of what manager Scott Servais' plans are moving forward, as the Mariners now have six potential starters healthy and available. That could mean that it comes down to Hernandez and Erasmo Ramirez in terms of the fifth slot for the rest of the season. Naturally, the quality -- or lack thereof -- of Hernandez's Tuesday outing could have significant bearing on that decision.

Hernandez didn't factor into the decision against the Astros on Monday, giving up four earned runs on five hits over six innings, striking out six and walking two in Seattle's eventual 7-4 victory.

Hernandez only missed a quality start by one run in this contest, as he got the start with James Paxton on the disabled list due to a forearm injury. Paxton could need to miss one more turn in the rotation as he rehabs from the injury, in which case Hernandez could get another opportunity to fill the void, but the veteran right-hander is supposed to move back to a relief role once the Big Maple makes his return.

Hernandez is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez was shifted to the bullpen Aug. 9 after surrendering 11 runs in his previous outing against the Rangers, but after James Paxton (forearm) landed on the disabled list, Hernandez is in line to make a spot start. Following Monday's appearance, he's expected to resume his role as a long reliever.