Iwakuma (shoulder) suffered a setback and will be shut down for 10-14 days, the Tacoma News Tribune's Bob Dutton reports.

This means that Iwakuma is likely six weeks or so away from game action, assuming no further setbacks. While Iwakuma is often undervalued when he's healthy, this injury keeps leading to pessimism regarding his chances of being a major fantasy asset in 2015. Roenis Elias would appear to have a pretty secure hold on a rotation spot for the foreseeable future.

Iwakuma (shoulder) has progressed to long toss, but remains three-to-four weeks from a potential return, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Iwakuma was initially slated to miss two-to-four weeks total, but the new timetable would push the initial one to four or five weeks. A late May return may still be possible at this point, but it's also possible his absence extends into June.

Iwakuma (shoulder) has been able to do strengthening exercises and light throwing, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

Iwakuma is projected to miss 2-to-4 weeks after suffering a Grade 1 strain of his right lat muscle, but it's a good sign that he's been able to resume throwing at this point. He likely won't be able to participate in anything more than just the light throwing for a couple of weeks, with a mid-to-late May return looking possible.

Iwakuma's MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain of his right lat muscle and he will miss two-to-four weeks, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports.

This is about the best diagnosis Iwakuma's owners could have hoped for, as he should only miss three-to-five starts, and will hopefully come back pitching better than he was to start the season. Look for Iwakuma to begin throwing in roughly two weeks and return to the rotation in three-to-four weeks. Roenis Elias has taken his place in the Mariners' rotation.

Iwakuma (shoulder) will undergo an MRI on Friday, Greg Johns of Marniers.com reports.

Iwakuma was placed on the 15-day DL Friday and the results of his MRI will unveil if he needs even more time off the field. His spot in the starting rotation hasn't officially been filled yet but he's on tap to miss at least his next two starts.

Iwakuma was placed on the 15-day DL Friday with a strained lat muscle, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports.

A lat strain is typically about a four-week injury, so be prepared to be without Iwakuma for most of May. He had been roughed up pretty badly in the early going and it's unclear how or when he sustained this injury. Look for Roenis Elias, who last pitched Monday for Triple-A Tacoma, to slot into the Mariners rotation and take the ball Sunday against the Twins.

Iwakuma, who has given up four earned runs in each of his three starts this season, has lost velocity on his fastball, but manager Lloyd McClendon said he is more concerned with Iwakuma's wayward command, the Seattle Times reports.

Iwakuma's four-seam fastball was 93-94 mph last year while his two-seamer was 89-90. This season, those pitches are down to 87-88 and 84-85. McClendon said he expects the velocity to improve, but Iwakuma's bigger problem is not leaving his fastball up in the zone. "He's leaving too many balls in the middle of the plate and working behind on too many hitters," McClendon said. "And that's what we have to get straightened out. The velocity will come."

Iwakuma gave up four runs on five hits -- including two homers -- over 5.1 innings in a no-decision Monday against the Astros.

The inconsistency that plagued Iwakuma in his first two starts carried over to Monday's appearance. While Iwakuma threw 46 of his 71 pitches for strikes, he generated just six swinging strikes against a Houston club with plenty of swing-and-miss in its lineup. His mistakes continue to get punished, as he's now allowed five home runs in 16.1 innings this season. Further, his swinging-strike rate is sitting at a career-low 7.8%. Iwakuma will try to get back on track Sunday against the Twins in another home start.

Iwakuma gave up four runs on six hits and three walks, with five strikeouts over five innings, in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Iwakuma got out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, but was tagged for an RBI double by Adrian Gonzalez in the third and later served up home runs to Alex Guerrero and Andre Ethier. Through two starts (11 innings), Iwakuma has a 6.55 ERA, .326 BAA and 8:3 K:BB, but those outings have come against two top offensives in the Angels and Dodgers.

Iwamura gave up five runs- four earned- on nine hits, striking out three and walking none, in six innings Wednesday against the Angels.

Iwamura gave up four runs- two earned- in the first inning and a run in the second inning before settling down and pitching effectively from the third to the sixth. However, the Mariners failed to put runs on the board leading to Iwamura's first loss of the season. Iwamura will look to bounce back Tuesday at Dodger Stadium as he'll face off against Scott Baker.

Iwakuma (finger) pitched two innings in a minor league game last Thursday, but avoided using his split-finger fastball, The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

Iwakuma should make his start as planned, but it's worth noting that he didn't use his signature pitch likely due to the blister. However, he probably avoided using the pitch to keep from aggravating the issue, so he should be all systems go for the Mariners' third game of the season.

Iwakuma has a small blister on his finger but manager Lloyd McClendon said it is not a big issue, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

The blister prevented Iwakuma from throwing many splitters in Saturday's spring outing, which explains his struggles to a certain extent. Iwakuma gave up four runs on five hits, including a homer, in five innings against the Giants. While there has been nothing to suggest Iwakuma will miss time, consider him day-to-day until the Mariners officially clear him to make his next start.

Iwakuma, a right-hander, could begin the season as the No. 3 starter if the Mariners want to throw a left-hander between him and righty Felix Hernandez, the Seattle Times reports.

Lefty James Paxton would be the No. 2 starter. If the move happens, realize it's not because Iwakuma has taken a step back in spring training. Iwakuma has not given up a run in two starts this spring, with five hits and no walks allowed in six innings.

Iwakuma said Saturday he does not want to return to Japan when his contract expires after this season, the Tacoma News Tribune reports.

The Mariners likely will re-sign Iwakuma, who has a 3.07 in three seasons in Seattle. His season last year was bookended by injuries, but he still finished second in baseball in BB/9 (1.1) and third in K:BB (7.3). He'll pitch as the No. 2 starter in the rotation again this year.

Iwakuma (15-9) beat the Angels on Friday, while allowing two runs and striking out four hitters in 6.1 innings pitched.

In a close game, Iwakuma was pulled in the seventh inning after 80 pitches due to an undisclosed injury. He gave up solo homers to Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout, but other than the sixth-inning blasts Iwakuma was on his game. In his last regular season start of the year, Iwakuma ends 2014 with a 3.52 ERA and 154 strikeouts.

Iwakuma left Friday's game with an undisclosed injury, Shannon Drayer of 710 AM in Seattle reports.

Iwakuma has been dealing with a slight back and groin ailment recently, so this could be the reason for his departure from the game. He was pitching well, giving up just two runs in 6.1 innings. An update should be available after the game.

According to manager Lloyd McClendon, Iwakuma has been dealing with slight back and groin issues of late, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN in Seattle reports.

Iwakuma has been knocked around of late, and the minor injuries may explain some of his issues. Iwakuma has taken three straight losses after winning six in a row and holds an ugly 9.35 ERA in the month of September. He's allowed six hits and at least four earned runs in each of his last three starts, none of which have lasted more than 4.1 innings. On the season, Iwakuma is 14-9 with a 3.54 ERA and 1.07 WHIP.

Iwakuma struggled again Sunday against the Astros, giving up four runs on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings. Over the last month Iwakuma has a 9.12 ERA and 1.75 WHIP, allowing 36 hits and nine walks over 25.2 innings.

The Mariners have just removed Chris Young from the rotation, but Iwakuma has collapsed down the stretch as well. For his part, Iwakuma says he's healthy but fatigued. "I'm physically healthy. There's no issue with that," Iwakuma said through interpreter Antony Suzuki. "This late in the season, we're all tired and feel fatigued at times, so we're trying to overcome that. But like I said the other day in Anaheim, it's more the balance for myself. I'm still working on making my adjustments. I'm not able to get ahead early in the count and that's kind of messing up my game plan."

Iwakuma was knocked around for seven runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over 3.1 innings Monday in a loss to the Angels.

The woes continue for Iwakuma, who has coughed up 14 runs in 13 September innings (9.69 ERA) over three starts. The seven runs allowed are the most in his career. Iwakuma has admitted to feeling out of sync, so it might be wise to sit him until he gets straightened out. He will try to get it going Saturday in Houston.

Iwakuma lasted only 4.1 innings Wednesday, allowing four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out six Astros in a 5-2 loss.

Iwakuma has been hit hard over his last four starts, giving up 15 runs in 18 innings (7.50 ERA) and seen his season ERA rise from 2.57 to 3.11. He will try to turns things around Tuesday at the Angels.