Felix slated for one more Triple-A rehab start
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Felix Hernandez's return to the Mariners will wait a bit longer.
Hernandez dazzled in his second Minor League rehab start on Sunday, but manager Scott Servais said the right-hander will make one more rehab appearance before joining the team, in order for Hernandez to build up his workload. Hernandez has been out since April 26 with right shoulder inflammation.
"We want to get him up to 80, 85 pitches, so when he comes back we feel good about running him out to 100," Servais said Monday before Seattle played at Minnesota. "I'm really excited he threw the ball much better and kind of got his rhythm going out there on the mound."
Servais said Hernandez's next appearance will probably be Saturday with Triple-A Tacoma, getting an extra day before his start.
The Mariners' longtime ace allowed one run on one hit in 5 1/3 innings on Sunday for Tacoma. He took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before allowing a walk and a double. He threw 64 pitches, with the plan before the game to limit him to 65 pitches.
Hernandez had struggled in his first rehab start, lasting just two innings and giving up five runs on four hits and two walks.
Servais was happy to see Hernandez return to form on Sunday.
"It was all positive," Servais said of the reports. "He certainly dialed it up and it was great to see. We need him."
Worth noting
• Seattle recalled right-hander Casey Lawrence from Triple-A before Monday's game and optioned right-hander Emilio Pagan (10th round, 2013 Draft, Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina) to Tacoma after Sunday's game.
Lawrence, 29, is 0-0 with a 3.29 ERA this season with the Mariners, making five relief appearances. He has 16 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.
Pagan, 26, threw four scoreless innings of relief on Sunday against Toronto and recorded a career-best five strikeouts along the way. In three stints with Seattle this season, Pagan is 0-1 with a 4.22 ERA.
"Emilio did a great job yesterday," Servais said. "I think he's proving to himself, certainly proving to me, that he can pitch in this league and hold his own, and even more than that. Yesterday, pretty cool environment, if you want to call it that, to come into. The place is packed and he handled it great, threw strikes, got his secondary pitches over the plate, really shut them down for four innings."
• Servais said shortstop Jean Segura took some swings in the batting cage on Monday and is scheduled to run before Tuesday's game. Segura has been out since June 2 with a right high ankle sprain.
Servais is still hopeful Segura will be able to rejoin the team on its upcoming series in Texas, but the manager said Tuesday's workout will give the team more direction.
"Moving better," Servais said. "He still feels it a little bit laterally. Lateral movement, especially to his right. He got in the batting cage today and I actually saw him take a few swings; looked pretty normal. Tomorrow will be a big day."