Taijuan Walker Scratched From Start

Feb 13, 2014; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners pitcher Taijuan Walker throws during team workouts at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Top Mariners prospect Taijuan Walker was scratched from his rehab start tonight in Tacoma due to an inability to get loose before the game.

That is about as detailed as we can be at this point, as no more information was given in regards to the soreness, or its source. Mariners General Manager told the Seattle Times ” he said he doesn’t feel comfortable. I can’t say what the whole issue is, but what he said is, ‘I just feel stiff. I don’t feel I can get loose.'”

He went on to say that Walker felt great leading up to the start, but showed up Tuesday, and that wasn’t the case. The Mariners will likely be cautious with their prized prospect, as they obviously won’t want to exacerbate any problems that are currently present in Walker’s throwing shoulder that caused him to begin the season on a rehab assignment.

This news has some worried, and rightfully so. The wording is very similar to what was said when the Danny Hultzen injury first popped up, as he also couldn’t get loose before a start. We all know how that ended.

That situation does seem unlikely though, as Walker was dominant just a fews days ago in his Double-A start, so it seems like a stretch that he would all the sudden develop another injury between starts.

Walker was in consideration to be tonights starter in Texas, but it looks like it was a good idea to leave him down for one more start.

We will bring any more news on this topic to you as soon as it is released.