ANAEHIM -- With James Paxton dealing with a mild bout of pneumonia, the Mariners will start left-handed long reliever Roenis Elias in Friday night's game against the Angels.
The Mariners waited until Friday morning to announce Elias would be the opening pitcher in what manager Scott Servais says will be a bullpen game for his club.
The 30-year-old southpaw hasn't made it through more than 3 2/3 innings in two previous starts this year, but he threw five innings in long relief on Aug.