Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, David Phelps to miss significant time with arm injuries

Just when the Mariners made their way back into the playoff picture, they are may be being pulled right back out.

Starting pitcher Felix Hernandez and reliever David Phelps are both expected to be out multiple weeks due to injury, as the Mariners’ bad luck with arm injuries continue.

Hernandez has been out since the beginning of the month with what is being called shoulder bursitis, the same injury that kept him out for two months earlier this season. He is expected to miss another 3-4 weeks.

For the newly acquired Phelps, his diagnosis is a tad less deflating, though the impingement in his elbow will cost him 2-3 weeks of recovery time. Phelps had allowed two earned runs in seven innings of work since being brought over from the Marlins before the trade deadline.

Hernandez has been battling injuries for a few seasons now, and each of his last two starts before heading to the DL were not very promising. He currently holds a 4.28 ERA this season.

The Mariners hope to have a fresh Hernandez back for a September playoff push, as long as their offense can shoulder the load and keep them in the race. The Mariners currently sit one game back of the Royals for the second Wild Card spot.