Paxton (12-5) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks through just 3.2 innings to take the loss against Texas on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton is working his way back from a pectoral injury, and while this was a better showing than his first start off the disabled list, the hard-throwing lefty still hasn't found his pre-injury form. The plan was for the Mariners to squeeze in two more starts for Paxton before the end of the season. He takes a 3.03 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 into his next projected outing against the Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum.

Paxton could see up to three more starts before the end of the regular season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander endured a forgettable 50-pitch outing in his return from a pectoral injury on Friday, but he could have three more opportunities to redeem himself before the regular season concludes. With the Mariners still within 3.5 games of a wild-card spot, Paxton could potentially take the hill on two occasions during a potentially pivotal season-ending road trip. He'll make his next start this coming Thursday against the Rangers, when he'll try to get back to the level of pitching that's helped him generate a career-best 12 victories in 2017.

Paxton (12-4) took the loss against the Astros on Friday, giving up three runs on four hits and two walks over only 1.1 innings without striking out a batter.

EDGE Analysis

He needed 50 pitches to record those four outs before getting the hook, throwing just 27 of them for strikes. Paxton hadn't made a start for the M's in over a month and didn't get an opportunity for a proper rehab assignment, so some rust was to be expected. The lefty will next take the mound Thursday at home against the Rangers.

The Mariners activated Paxton (pectoral) from the injured list in advance of his scheduled start Friday against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.comreports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton is ready to return after missing over a month with his chest injury. He will only be allowed to throw around 50 pitches, so it will be difficult for him to qualify for the win unless he is really on top of his game. That is at least possible, however, as he has allowed the Astros to score just one run in 20 innings over three starts against Houston this season.

Paxton (pectoral) threw 10 pitches off the bullpen mound in Arlington on Wednesday in anticipation of his Friday start against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was the 28-year-old southpaw's final step before making his long-awaited return from the disabled list on Friday against the Astros. Paxton will have missed just over a month when he finally returns, having last pitched on Aug. 10 against the Angels.

Paxton (pectoral) will be activated from the disabled list and start Friday's game against the Astros, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton has been sidelined since Aug. 10 with a pectoral strain but is set to rejoin the Mariners' rotation after five weeks on the mend. Fantasy owners should be cautious with regards to immediately inserting Paxton back into their lineups, as he draws a tough road matchup with the Astros in his first start back. The 28-year-old has as much upside as nearly any pitcher in the league, but may show some signs of rust in his return from the DL.

Paxton (pectoral) threw 40 pitches in a simulated game Friday and said afterward that he expects to start next week against the Rangers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Having made it through his sim game pain-free, Paxton now faces just one final hurdle -- a standard side session -- on his road back from a pectoral strain. He will likely be on a relatively strict pitch count in his first few starts back, but Paxton has been dominant when on the mound this season and most owners will want to deploy him right away.

Paxton (pectoral) is expected to throw 30-35 pitches in a simulated game on Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Paxton has continued progressing without setbacks and could be on track to return in the near future. If Friday's simulated session goes well, it could be the final step before he's cleared to rejoin the rotation for abbreviated starts beginning next week.

Paxton (pectoral) will throw another bullpen session Tuesday and then a simulated game next Saturday, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

He remains on track to return to the Mariners' rotation in mid-September, but has a couple more hurdles to clear before that becomes a reality. Paxton has been sidelined since Aug. 10, and posted a 2.78 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 138 strikeouts in 119.2 innings prior to this latest ailment.

Manager Scott Servais said that he expects Paxton (pectoral) to throw off a mound Friday or Saturday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Since hitting the disabled list Aug. 10 with a left pectoral strain, Paxton has been limited to playing catch, but the lefty has made enough progress in the last few days to move on to the next phase of the rehab process. Servais said that Paxton and Felix Hernandez (shoulder), who remains on a similar recovery timetable to Paxton, would both throw 20-to-25 pitches in the bullpen session. If Paxton endures no further setbacks along the way, he could be on track to rejoin the Mariners' rotation as soon as mid-September, which would put him in line for about two or three more starts before the end of the regular season.