MLB odds: M's put Hernandez on DL

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

The Seattle Mariners were hoping to start pitcher Felix Hernandez either in Tuesday or Wednesday’s game against the Blue Jays, but it’s clear they were fooling themselves all along, as the M’s put “King Felix” on the 15-day disabled list on Monday night, retroactive to June 24.

Hernandez has been fighting a sprained left ankle that he suffered against the Mets on June 23 during a collision at home plate. He is 6-5 this season with a 2.83 ERA and 93 strikeouts.

"He threw a few pitches and the landing foot is still not really right, and we're not going to put him out there till it is right," manager Jim Riggleman said after Monday's game. "The doctor is suggesting a few more days before he tries to throw again, so we're starting to get toward that 15-day period anyway. So rather than have a man short on the staff, we can DL him and get somebody up here."

Hernandez will be eligible to return July 8, but don't be surprised if the Mariners hold him out through the All-Star break. It’s not like the team has anything to play for.

 

As for Tuesday’s game, Ryan Rowland-Smith - he of the zero career major starts and 58 career relief appearances – starts against Toronto. Rowland-Smith started one game at Double-A San Antonio in the 2006 season, but has pitched exclusively in relief since. He made 26 appearances out of the bullpen last year for Seattle and is 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in 32 games this season.

If he's feeling strong, there might be an upper limit of four or five (innings)," Riggleman said. "If he's throwing a lot of pitches and Toronto is on him pretty good, it might be one or two (innings)."

Jesse Litsch (8-4, 3.82 ERA) gets the call for Toronto tonight as the Jays look to win their fourth straight. Before winning his last start, vs. the Reds, Litsch had gone 0-3 with a 6.46 ERA in his previous four starts. In six starts before that, however, the right-hander was 5-0 with a 1.67 ERA. He is 0-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two career starts vs. Seattle.

The Jays are a fairly sizable -133 money line betting road favorite on WagerWeb.com.