Iwakuma is on a slower-paced spring training plan and won't see game action until March, Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.

EDGE Analysis

The strategy appears to be precautionary from a managerial standpoint after Iwakuma faltered down the stretch last season en route to a 199 inning campaign. The 35-year-old has expressed that he wants to shoulder the same workload in 2017 while producing at a higher level, an evident goal from his current regimen. Iwakuma is scheduled for side work this Monday as he continues to progress towards Opening Day.

Iwakuma, who declined to participate in this year's World Baseball Classic in order to solely focus on the 2017 season, arrived at the Mariners' spring training complex a week ahead of the first official workout, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports. "I'm very excited," he said through interpreter Antony Suzuki. "I'm very motivated. I have a lot of hope for this year. I'm looking forward to this season."

EDGE Analysis

The veteran led Seattle in wins (16), games started (33), innings pitched (199) and strikeouts (147) in 2016, but was openly disappointed in his performance down the stretch, a factor that is fueling his preparation for the coming campaign. Iwakuma has had a meticulous offseason regimen since his days pitching in Japan, yet he appeared to take matters up a notch this offseason. The 35-year-old right-hander spent the majority of the winter training in Los Angeles before his early arrival in Arizona, and has a stated goal of hitting the 33-start mark again and exceeding last season's victory total in 2017. Iwakuma enjoyed an excellent mid-season stretch in 2016, going 13-3 with a 3.58 ERA over a two-and-a-half-month period in the summer. However, perhaps due to fatigue, he went only 2-5 with a 4.96 ERA over his final nine trips to the mound, a scenario he's determined to allow to transpire this year. His focus on being more consistent from start to finish this season is certainly not lost on manager Scott Servais. "Kuma takes his offseason as serious as anybody and he has been here earlier than he was last year," manager Scott Servais said. "I think he wants to show people he can carry that workload. It's hard for him especially where he was in his career. We got probably more out of him than we expected, which is great. We certainly needed it. He wants to back it up again this year. It doesn't surprise me."

Iwakuma was roughed up for five runs on nine hits and one walk in 3.2 innings Saturday in a loss to the A's. He struck out five.

EDGE Analysis

It was third time in seven starts that Iwakuma failed to go four innings. Iwakuma was Seattle's most effective starter this year, but he put the Mariners in a deep hole early in a must-win game they eventually lost in extra innings. The 34-year-old perhaps showed his age this season, as he posted a career-high 4.12 ERA. After three years with a strikeout rate at 21 percent, it fell this year to a career-low 17.6 percent. His BB/9 was a three-year high 2.08.

Iwakuma allowed just one run on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision Monday against Houston.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma has been sharp this September, now with four quality starts in five chances and a 22:8 K:BB over 29.1 innings. He appears to have lost his form this season, having allowed a career high 28 home runs in 195.1 innings, but he has managed to give the Mariners chances to win as they try to climb back into the playoff picture in the season's final weeks. The effort lowered Iwakuma's ERA to 3.96; he has yet to allow an ERA of 4.00 or worse in five major league seasons.

Iwakuma (16-12) allowed six runs (five earned) on eight hits and a walk over just 3.1 innings in a loss Tuesday to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma was riding a three-start quality start streak, but had it snapped as he failed to complete four innings for the third time in his past 11 starts. That inconsistency has led to the worst season of his career. Iwakuma allowed his 27th and 28th homers Tuesday night, the most of his career, and his 4.04 ERA is the worst of his career. If he can't improve it, Iwakuma will post his first season with an ERA above 4.00.

Iwakuma (16-11) gave up a single run on five hits over 6.1 innings even though he walked three with just two strikeouts in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

He's fortunate to have caught the Angels in a slump, as Iwakuma wasn't exactly fooling guys out there, but he kept the ball on the ground well enough to eke out a 2-1 victory. The 35-year-old righty has delivered eight quality starts in his last nine turns, but his lack of strikeouts has to be a concern. His 6.39 K/9 is easily a career low, down more than a full point from his prior career average.

Iwaukuma (15-11) allowed two runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings in a victory over the Athletics on Friday. He also struck out five and walked one.

EDGE Analysis

The victory gives Iwaukuma 15 on the season, which ties a career-high from 2014. He's still allowing a fair amount of hits, but he's limited the damage in his last two outings - five runs in 13.2 innings. He is 15-11 with a 3.96 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 130 strikeouts in 179.2 innings this season. His next start will be Wednesday versus the Angels.

Iwakuma (14-11) allowed three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over seven innings to take the loss Sunday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma has allowed at least three runs to score in each of his last five starts, and he now has a 4.01 ERA to go along with a 1.29 WHIP. He currently has both the highest ERA and WHIP of his five-year career.

Iwakuma (14-10) allowed five runs on six hits and a walk with two strikeouts over just three innings in a loss Monday to the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Iwakuma has given up one home run and at least three earned runs in each of his last four starts, and he hasn't struck out more than three batters in any of those outings. His ERA has jumped to 4.01 has a result of this cold streak. As things stand, Iwakuma is in line for his first season with an ERA over 4.00 since coming over to the United States in 2012. He has allowed 24 home runs in 27 starts, and his next home run allowed will tie his career high from 2013 (in 33 starts and 219.2 innings).

Iwakuma (14-9) pitched six quality innings, but took the loss Wednesday versus the Yankees. He allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three.

EDGE Analysis

After winning his first three starts of the month, Iwakuma has now dropped two straight to match his career high in losses for a single season. The Japanese right-hander now sports a career-worst 3.81 ERA through 25 starts (157 innings) this year. Iwakuma continued to surrender the longball Wednesday, giving up his 23rd homer of the season, and now owns a 1.27 HR/9 -- another career-worst mark. He'll look to end the two-game skid when he toes the rubber for his next start Monday against the Rangers.