Notes: Paxton done for '21 after TJ surgery

James Paxton underwent Tommy John surgery last week and will miss the remainder of the 2021 season, manager Scott Servais announced Wednesday.

“Hoping for a speedy recovery there,” Servais said. “He’s got a lot of work ahead of him there and he knows that.”

Servais revealed Paxton, who has yet to begin the rehab process, was headed for season-ending surgery on April 13, but was unsure if it would be Tommy John surgery.

The surgery marks the latest obstacle for Paxton, who has dealt with various ailments throughout his career.

When Seattle signed Paxton to a one-year, $8.5 million contract in February, there was an underlying element of risk. Last season, Paxton only pitched five games for the Yankees due to a flexor strain in his left arm. Paxton was pulled from his season debut after 1 1/3 innings and said the injury was related to that same flexor strain.

Paxton, 32, will enter the offseason as a free agent and will still likely draw numerous suitors, even with his injury history. When healthy, Paxton’s production is undeniable; he has a career 3.59 ERA and 3.31 FIP.

“If I know Pax, he’ll take the right attitude with it and go forward and try to make the best out of it and come back, hopefully stronger than ever,” Servais said.

No timetable for Margevicius

Nick Margevicius has inflammation in his left shoulder and the team will conduct additional tests when it returns to Seattle, Servais said. There is no timetable for his return.

The Mariners have yet to release their probables for their next series against the Angels, but Ljay Newsome is the most likely candidate to join the starting rotation.

Newsome has excelled as Seattle’s long reliever this season, allowing two earned runs in 10 2/3 innings (1.69 ERA) with 11 strikeouts to one walk. The rookie has plenty of experience as a starter, having made 91 Minor League starts and four Major League starts last season.

In the Mariners’ series against the Red Sox, Newsome proved himself capable of handling a heavy workload. On Friday, Newsome pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Two days later, Newsome pitching four scoreless innings, helping save Seattle’s bullpen after Margevicius only recorded one out.

“Unbelievable. I can’t say enough about the job that he did, knowing that he only had one day off,” Servais said after Newsome’s Sunday outing. “He just keeps pitching."

If Newsome steps into the starting rotation, Robert Dugger could take over as the bullpen's long reliever. In his season debut against the Astros on Monday, Dugger pitched two scoreless innings in relief.

Roster moves

The Mariners made a pair of roster moves on Wednesday afternoon, claiming catcher Jacob Nottingham off waivers from the Brewers and designating right-handed pitcher Brandon Brennan for assignment.

Servais did not announce whether Nottingham will be placed on Seattle’s 26-man roster or assigned to the team’s alternate site. Nottingham will travel to Seattle and will not be available for the team’s current road trip in Houston.

“He’s a big, physical guy,” Servais said. “We’ve seen him a little bit through the years in Spring Training.”

In 38 career games, all of which have come with Milwaukee, Nottingham has hit .203/.306/.432 with five home runs.

Nottingham, 26, has performed well defensively in a limited sample size, totaling three defensive runs saved in 200 2/3 career innings.