‘I’m in a good spot right now.’ Mariners’ Taijuan Walker close to first spring start
Seattle Mariners starter Taijuan Walker is the only pitcher projected to make the Opening Day rotation who has not appeared in a Cactus League game this spring.
But, he’s getting closer.
“I think I’m in a good spot right now going into my next game,” Walker said Wednesday after pitching two-plus innings in an intrasquad game at the Mariners’ spring training complex in Peoria.
“I think it should be a real game. I’m hoping. I think I’m ready for it.”
The 27-year-old right-hander retired all seven batters he faced in order, including striking out two, on 31 pitches (21 strikes).
“It was good finally having fielders behind me and having a real umpire,” said Walker, who had only thrown bullpens, live batting practices and one simulated game so far this spring.
“It was definitely a lot better than my last one. My main focus was my direction towards home plate and just my tempo, and I thought I did a good job of that. I feel like when I do those things everything kind of falls into place, and it did today.”
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The Seattle Mariners are ready to report to spring training and so is The News Tribune. Beat reporter Lauren Smith will be on the ground in Peoria, Ariz., from the first full squad practice. And our coverage will continue through the final roster decisions at the end of March, bringing fans the latest on the second year of Seattle’s rebuild. Click on the arrow in the top right for more.
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While the Mariners aren’t exactly expected to contend for a playoff spot in 2020, these six weeks of preseason workouts and games will give us a closer look at some of the top prospects — like outfielders Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, and former first-round draft pick Logan Gilbert — expected to be key pieces of the club’s future, and some of the young players battling for Opening Day roster spots. We’ll also be able to catch up with the more experienced players — like veteran third-baseman Kyle Seager and ace pitcher Marco Gonzales — already in Seattle’s clubhouse.
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Walker’s previous throwing sessions were somewhat erratic, but he said his most recent bullpen felt solid. He was able to mimic that when he took the mound against live hitters and was satisfied with how both his slider and curveball behaved.
“I thought Taijuan looked great,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “The velocity was good, it was 93-94, good secondary pitches. He looked healthy, and got the adrenaline going a little bit today, so we’ll see him in an ‘A’ game here real soon.”
Walker was originally scheduled to start Wednesday’s road game against the Angels in Tempe, but the Mariners scratched him from that game given how often they will see Los Angeles in divisional games during the regular season.
Seattle has been cautious with Walker’s throwing program this spring as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery in 2018 and some shoulder issues that followed.
Walker has pitched in just four regular-season games spanning the past two seasons, but he said his intensity level feels back to normal.
“I feel like I can be aggressive now,” he said. “When I step out there, I just feel good, and I kind of just let it loose and don’t have any worries — nothing in the back of my head about my shoulder, my elbow or anything like that.
“It makes it a lot easier to pitch and makes it a lot more fun.”
The former Mariners first-round draft pick returned to their clubhouse last month, signing a one-year, $2 million contract the day pitchers and catchers reported to Peoria.
This story was originally published March 4, 2020 at 2:12 PM with the headline "‘I’m in a good spot right now.’ Mariners’ Taijuan Walker close to first spring start."
