Felix Hernandez returning to Mariners’ rotation

Felix Hernandez’s absence from the Seattle Mariners’ rotation was short-lived.

An injury to ace James Paxton means Hernandez will be back in the rotation and is set to start Monday against the Houston Astros.

Felix Hernandez will indeed start in Paxton’s place on Monday vs Astros. But Servais says Marco Gonzales will be moved back from Sunday to Wed to give his arm a rest. Sunday starter vs Dodgers still TBD.

— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) August 17, 2018

Paxton was hit by a line drive in Tuesday’s start and landed on the DL with a forearm contusion. The injury isn’t severe, but it will be enough to cost him one turn through the rotation, a turn that will be taken by Hernandez.

Once a Cy Young winner, Hernandez has posted a 5.62 ERA this season. Perhaps a good start could earn him another one, but it has to be better than what he’s done lately.