Iwakuma (shoulder) has been shut down once again and will be examined by doctors to determine the next step in his rehabilitation, but a return in 2018 is seeming unlikely, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma's return was a slow-going process to begin with, as neck stiffness slowed him down at a couple different steps. Given this setback, the time necessary to get Iwakuma back throwing, through a rehab assignment and finally back to the major leagues may be too long even if doctors don't find any new damage in the shoulder. Considering Iwakuma has made just six starts since 2017, the 36-year-old's career may be reaching its end.

Iwakuma (shoulder) threw live batting practice Friday at the Mariners' complex in Peoria, Arizona and will throw another bullpen session in the next day or two, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma has made seemingly steady progress since the calendar flipped to June, throwing an extended bullpen session last Sunday after getting over a bout of neck stiffness and then facing live hitters Friday. Assuming there are no residual effects from that workload, the veteran right-hander appears ready to test his surgically repaired shoulder further early this week.

Iwakuma (shoulder) is expected to face live hitters during batting practice at some point this week, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma's rehab from late-September shoulder surgery was recently slowed by a bout of neck stiffness, but the latter injury is no longer a concern after he completed an extended bullpen session Saturday without incident. The right-hander is now ready to take another step forward in his recovery by facing hitters, which could set the stage for Iwakuma to head out on a rehab assignment at some point later this month. If he incurs no serious setbacks in the weeks to come, Iwakuma could be a rotation option for the Mariners at some point in the second half.

Iwakuma (shoulder, neck) threw an extended bullpen session before Saturday's game, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right-hander has been dealing with some neck stiffness in addition to his shoulder issues recently, which has pushed back his scheduled throwing sessions on a couple of occasions during the week. Iwakuma could finally begin a minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days if he continues to progress without further issues, and it's likely he'll need multiple outings after last having seen major-league game action on May 3, 2017.

Manager Scott Servais said Iwakuma (shoulder, neck) will throw live batting practice Thursday, TJ Cotterill of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma is still dealing with some neck stiffness, so he'll wait another day before facing live hitters. If Thursday's live batting practice session goes off without a hitch, Iwakuma could progress to a minor-league rehab assignment within the coming weeks.

Iwakuma (shoulder) will throw live batting practice Wednesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma was originally scheduled to face live hitters Tuesday, but the session was apparently pushed back by a day after he experienced some neck stiffness. Assuming everything goes off without a hitch during Wednesday's live batting practice session, the veteran could be cleared to head out on a rehab assignment in the coming weeks.

Iwakuma (shoulder) threw well in his bullpen session Friday and is scheduled to face live hitters Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It sounds like he is nearing a rehab assignment, but first he will need to get through Tuesday's session without any setbacks. He could be pitching in minor-league games in early June.

Iwakuma (shoulder) played catch Wednesday and will throw a live batting practice in Peoria, Arizona on Friday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma's rehab process has endured some interruptions, although it appears to be back on an upswing for the time being. The veteran right-hander had suffered a setback during a simulated game on April 28, but he's been progressively working his strength back up since the calendar flipped to May. If all goes well with Friday's live throwing session, Iwakuma could progress to either a simulated game situation or a minor-league rehab outing in relatively short order.

Iwakuma (shoulder) will resume his throwing program Saturday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday. If all goes well in that outing, he'll likely begin throwing simulated games again. It's unclear how soon Iwakuma will be back in full game action, however.

Iwakuma was shut down during his scheduled simulated game Saturday after feeling shoulder soreness, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma stopped throwing just seven pitches into his simulated game, although the hope is that the setback isn't overly serious. Manager Scott Servais stated that early evaluations show tendinitis is likely the cause of Iwakuma's discomfort. The 37-year-old will cease throwing for the next few days before further evaluation and it's unclear when he could begin his minor-league rehab assignment.