Felix Hernandez Illness: Updates on Mariners Star's Status and Return

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez was scratched from his start Friday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels due to an illness.

Continue for updates.

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Hernandez's Status Uncertain After Scratch

Friday, April 22

The Mariners announced Hisashi Iwakuma will start Friday instead of Hernandez. No further information about the ailment or how long it could keep the starter sidelined was immediately disclosed.

Hernandez remains the ace of Seattle's staff and one of the most reliable starters in baseball. Few pitchers have matched his overall impact across the past decade. The Mariners hope that trend is able to continue for the foreseeable future.

The 30-year-old right-hander has made at least 30 starts in every season dating back to 2006. The team did shut him down one start early last year, but that was more for precautionary reasons than any major health concerns.

If the latest ailment forces him to miss more than a few days, the Mariners will need Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker to step up to lead the staff. While those other starters aren't proven aces, they are certainly capable of stringing together several strong starts in a row.

Of course, the Seattle rotation is nowhere near as imposing without Hernandez leading the way.