Mariners left-hander James Paxton was considered to be one healthy rehab start away from returning to the big-league mound. But a monkey wrench might have been thrown into those plans.
Paxton was removed in the fourth inning of his outing Wednesday for Triple-A Tacoma. He left the mound with the trainer looking at a finger on his pitching hand. He had been sidelined for more than three months with a finger injury.
It remains to be seen if what appears to be a setback will prevent him from joining the Mariners in the near future.