"With a cast encircling his prized pitching arm to hold down the swelling on a severely bruised right forearm, Mariners ace Felix Hernandez didn't look like a guy who'd be ready for his next start.

But fortunately for "The King," his next outing isn't scheduled until the Mariners regroup next year for Spring Training in Arizona.

Hernandez took a wicked line drive by Rangers third baseman Michael Young off his arm in the fourth inning of Saturday's 7-3 loss and was immediately hustled off the field by trainers, with X-rays showing no fractures. "