MLB PLAYER NEWS

Mariners welcome James Paxton back to Seattle

Field Level Media

February 19, 2021 at 3:30 am.

The man they call the Big Maple is back in Seattle.

Seattle Mariners executive vice president and general manager Jerry Dipoto announced Thursday that the Mariners have signed James Paxton to a one-year contract.

“It’s great to bring Pax back home to Seattle,” Dipoto said in a team statement. “His character, work ethic, track record and presence make him an impact addition to our team.”

A native of Ladner, British Columbia, Canada (hence the nickname) threw the sixth no-hitter in Mariners club history on May 8, 2018, at Toronto, becoming the first native Canadian to throw a no-hitter on Canadian soil.

Paxton also is tied with Randy Johnson, Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma for the franchise’s career-best ERA (3.42).

The 6-foot-4 left-hander, 32, was with the New York Yankees the past two seasons following his trade from the Mariners.

Seattle acquired left-handed pitcher Justus Sheffield, right-handed pitcher Erik Swanson and centerfielder Dom Thompson-Williams in the Nov. 19, 2018, trade.

While with the Yankees, Paxton went 16-7 with a 4.16 ERA in 171 innings (34 starts). He struck out 212 and walked 62.

Paxton made only five starts last season due to a left forearm strain.

In his first season with the Yankees in 2019, Paxton was 15-6 with a 3.82 ERA over a career-high 29 starts.

Paxton, who lives in Seattle with his wife, Katie, was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round of the 2010 draft.

In parts of six seasons with the Mariners (2013-18), he was 41-26 with 617 strikeouts and 168 walks in 102 starts.

ALL  |  NFL  |  College Football  |  MLB  |  NBA