Mariners left-handed starter James Paxton was forced to leave his start last Tuesday after just 21 pitches, and it did not look good. He was squeezing his hand on the mound with an extended arm with a lot of times means an elbow issue. Sure enough, he will be undergoing season-ending surgery, manager Scott Servais told reporters Tuesday (via Corey Brock). Previous reporting indicates the procedure will be Tommy John surgery.

Since he was on a one-year deal and this ends his season, Paxton will head to 2022 as a free agent, likely looking to sign with a team who could have some patience before giving him a shot at a rotation spot around the middle of the season.

Paxton, 32, has always flashed big upside when on the mound, but he’s also battled injuries through much of his MLB career. His career-high in starts in a season is 29 and his top mark in innings pitched is 160 1/3. He’s never had Tommy John surgery, though.

Left-hander James Paxton and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a one-year, $8.5 million deal, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Saturday.

The contract includes reachable bonuses that could take its value up to $10 million, sources said.

Paxton, 32, returns to the city where he spent the first six years of his career. The Mariners traded the pitcher to the New York Yankees in the winter of 2018.