Shaky Felix Hernandez vows to return to Mariners’ rotation soon

Felix Hernandez vowed Saturday that his first-ever stint in Seattle’s bullpen won’t last long.

“I’ll be a starter before the end of the year,” Hernandez said. “No question about it.”

The struggling Mariners ace has made 398 career starts in 14 seasons, never pitching in relief. He was bumped from the rotation on Thursday night, the latest setback in a tough year in which he has a career-high 5.73 ERA and is 0-4 in his past five starts.

For the longtime face of the franchise, it was difficult to digest the team’s decision to have him pitch in relief and he said it took him a couple of days to come to terms with it.