The Mariners Tuesday recalled RHP Taijuan Walker from his rehab assignment with AAA Tacoma and optioned RHP Cody Martin back to the Rainiers. Walker will start against the New York Yankees at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday at Safeco Field in the middle game of a three-game series.
The 24-year-old Walker went 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA with six strikeouts in three starts with Tacoma. Walker made two starts with the Rainiers after being optioned Aug. 8. In his last start Thursday at Nashville, Walker earned the win after tossing 6.1 scoreless innings.
Walker is 4-7 with a 4.10 ERA with 80 strikeouts and 20 walks in 17 starts with Seattle this season. In parts of four MLB seasons, Walker is 18-18 with a 4.14 ERA in 57 career appearances (54 starts).
Martin, 26, is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA in seven appearances, including two starts in three stints with Seattle this season. Martin allowed four home runs but took a no-decision Monday night in Seattle’s 7-5 comeback victory over the Yankees.
Walker will oppose LHP C.C. Sabathia (7-10, 4.49) Tuesday night. The Mariners (67-57) are 5½ games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West race and one game behind Baltimore for the second wild card spot.