SEATTLE -- Mariners veteran right-hander Felix Hernandez was activated off the 10-day disabled list and will start Saturday's 7:10 p.m. PT game against the White Sox at Safeco Field, with outfielder John Andreoli optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma to make room on the 25-man roster.
Hernandez skipped his last start before the All-Star break to rest a stiff lower back that had bothered him his previous two outings. The 32-year-old is 8-7 with a 5.13 ERA in 19 starts this season, missing just the one start in the first half.
The Mariners placed both Hernandez and lefty James Paxton on the 10-day DL prior to the break. Paxton is expected to return for Tuesday's start against the Giants at Safeco Field.
Andreoli was recalled from Tacoma prior to Friday's 3-1 win over the White Sox and was inserted as a pinch-runner for Nelson Cruz in the eighth inning. The rookie outfielder has had three brief stints with the Mariners this season and is 1-for-5 with a walk. He's hit .285 with three home runs and 28 RBIs in 67 games with Tacoma after signing with Seattle as a Minor League free agent last December.