Future HOFer Felix Hernandez hints at retirement

While Hernandez hopes to return to the mound in the near future and thought he might make a rehab appearance on Sunday, Mariners manager Scott Servais cast doubt upon a return that quickly.

Hernandez was sidelined in early May with a right lat strain and has been brought along slowly ever since in his recovery. The 33-year-old’s recent bullpen session was supposed to be a major step in his potential return, but now it could be delayed even further.

If Hernandez were to suffer a setback this late in the season, there’s a chance it could sideline him for the remainder of the year. Given where his mindset is at, that means we might have seen the last of a sports legend in Seattle.

While injuries have led to Hernandez’s play falling off in recent years, he has spent his entire 14-year career in Seattle and been dominant over that span with a 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 2,501 strikeouts. He is also a six-time All-Star, won the 2010 Cy Young and threw the only perfect game in team history.