From Shannon Drayer of ESPN 710 AM in Seattle comes word that the Mariners will promote top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday to start at Minute Maid Park against the Astros. It’ll be his major league debut.
Walker -- the 43rd overall pick in the 2010 MLB Amateur Draft -- has registered a 2.93 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 25 starts this season between the Double-A and Triple-A levels, striking out 160 batters and issuing only 57 walks over 141 1/3 innings.
The 21-year-old right-hander has a very bright future and will be able to get his feet wet down the stretch as the Mariners finish up another disappointing campaign. Seattle entered play on Wednesday with a 59-73 record.
