Hultzen (shoulder) pitched in an instructional league game Tuesday, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Now close to a full year removed from surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder, Hultzen has finally returned to game action. It was in a controlled environment, but Hultzen is also expected to pitch in the Arizona Fall League, with a return to full health expected before spring training. The 24-year-old went 4-1 with a 2.05 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in six starts for Triple-A Tacoma in 2013.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Saturday that Danny Hultzen (shoulder) has been throwing off a mound at "about 75 percent."

"He's on a mound," Jack Zduriencik said, "and he's throwing about 75 percent. He's pain-free, and he seems to be coming along very nicely." Making his way back from major shoulder surgery, Hultzen remains on pace to return to game action during the Arizona Fall League.

Mariners optioned LHP Danny Hultzen to Triple-A Tacoma; optioned LHP Anthony Fernandez and OF Julio Morban to Double-A Jackson; reassigned LHP James Gillheeney, Cs John Hicks and Manny Pina, INF Gabriel Noriega and OF Burt Reynolds to minor league camp.

The first wave of cuts in Mariners' camp and there aren't any real surprises here. Hultzen, 24, had surgery last October to repair his left labrum, capsule and a partial tear to his rotator cuff. He faces a long road back.

Danny Hultzen (shoulder) is nearing the beginning of his throwing program.

Hultzen has already been ruled out for the 2014 season after having surgery last October to repair his left labrum, capsule and a partial tear to his rotator cuff. The former top prospect is obviously facing a long rehab and an uncertain future.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik confirmed this week that Danny Hultzen will miss the entire 2014 season while recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

It's a tough break for the 23-year-old southpaw who was the Mariners first round pick from the 2011 draft. He had posted a stellar 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 34/7 K/BB ratio in 30 2/3 innings at Triple-A Tacoma before the injury, and appeared on the verge of cracking the Mariners rotation.

Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen underwent surgery Tuesday to repair his left labrum, capsule and a partial tear to his rotator cuff.

It's no surprise, as Hultzen missed most of the season with shoulder issues and had multiple setbacks. The Mariners have offered no timetable for his return, but it's obviously a major procedure. It would be a surprise if he did anything for the big club next season.

Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen will get a second opinion on his left shoulder from Dr. James Andrews.

Hultzen missed most of the season due to shoulder issues, and he felt pain again recently while pitching in the instructional league. The Mariners are worried that he might have damage in the tendon/labrum area. Whether or not he'll require surgery should be known about Dr. Andrews' exam.

Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen (shoulder) threw a three-inning simulated game at Safeco Field Saturday.

It comes after he returned for Triple-A Tacoma on September 1 with two relief innings. Hultzen has been limited to just 35 2/3 innings this season due to shoulder issues, but he's feeling fine now and manager Eric Wedge said the lefty "looked free and easy" Saturday. Hultzen will pitch in the Arizona Fall League.

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik confirmed that Danny Hultzen (shoulder) could be shut down for the season.

Hultzen hasn't pitched in a game since June 27 and remains without a timetable to resume a throwing program. More than likely, he's done for the season. Hultzen was limited to just five starts at Triple-A Tacoma and posted a 2.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP.

Mariners pitching prospect Danny Hultzen will remain shut down for about 10 more days as he continues recovering from irritation in his left shoulder.

Hultzen, who has made just one start since April, was scratched from a Triple-A start last week after he had trouble getting loose. While the Mariners initially deemed it a minor setback after no structural damage was found, he's obviously nowhere close to returning to game action. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said the club is looking into his routine and mechanics for a way to get him over the hump physically.

Danny Hultzen will be shut down for the next 10-14 days with left rotator cuff irritation.

Hultzen wasn't able to make his start Tuesday after failing to get loose in the bullpen. The good news is that he doesn't have any structural damage, but the bad news is that he's made just one start in over two months due to shoulder issues. At the very least, it's starting to look like a lost developmental year for him.

Danny Hultzen was scratched from Tuesday's start for Triple-A Tacoma after he was unable to get loose in the bullpen before the game.

The Mariners are saying he was scratched as a precaution, but it's concerning given that he's made just one start after missing two months with shoulder issues. The M's figure to play it safe and bring him along slowly.

Danny Hultzen performed well for Triple-A Tacoma in his first start since returning from the disabled list, allowing just two hits over six scoreless innings.

Hultzen, who was making his first start since April 19, fanned six while walking just one on the day. He threw just 78 pitches due to a limited pitch count, but will be back to his normal workload for his next start. While he may not get an extended look this season, look for Hultzen to make his Mariners' debut at some point this summer.

Danny Hultzen (shoulder) has begun playing catch.

Hultzen was shut down in late April with a left rotator cuff strain and general shoulder tendinitis. The Mariners are expected to take it very slowly with their prized pitching prospect. He had a 2.78 ERA and 25/6 K/BB ratio through his first 22 2/3 innings this season at Triple-A Tacoma and could reach the major leagues later this summer if he can get healthy.

Danny Hultzen has been told by the Mariners' training staff that his left shoulder injury is "not worrisome."

Hultzen has been diagnosed with a left rotator cuff strain and tendinitis, but evidently it's a mild case. He's expected to miss at least two weeks, but it doesn't sound like an extended absence will be required.

Danny Hultzen, who was scratched from Thursday's start at Triple-A Tacoma, is dealing with a strained rotator cuff and tendinitis.

Hultzen will undergo rest and rehab, and is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks. The highly-touted prospect is 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 25/6 K/BB ratio through 22 2/3 innings over his first four starts of the season at Triple-A.

Danny Hultzen was scratched from Thursday's start at Triple-A Tacoma after he was unable to get loose.

It shouldn't be a big deal. Hultzen is off to a fine start at Tacoma this season, posting a 2.78 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 25/6 K/BB ratio over his first 22 2/3 innings.

Mariners optioned LHP Danny Hultzen to Triple-A Tacoma.

Hultzen didn't have a real shot at a rotation spot, and whatever slim chance he had went out the window as he dealt with a hip issue for much of camp. One of the better lefty prospects in the game, he should make his debut sometime in 2013.

Danny Hultzen (hip) returned to action with a scoreless inning Wednesday.

He had been sidelined the last two weeks with a minor hip strain. Hultzen still can't full-out sprint, but his hip doesn't bother him when pitching, so he'll be fine. The top prospect is slated to open the season in Triple-A but should see time with the M's at some point during the 2013 season.

Danny Hultzen (hip) successfully threw a light bullpen session on Friday, and will now progress to a regular bullpen soon.

Hultzen has been dealing with a minor right hip flexor strain, causing him to be scratched from his scheduled appearance on Monday. While a longshot at the outset, the injury may have cost Hultzen a shot at cracking the Mariners' Opening Day rotation. He's slated to open the season in Triple-A, but should see time with the M's at some point during the 2013 season.