Erasmo Ramirez Sent To Tacoma, Opens Door For Taijuan Walker

The Seattle Mariners sent Erasmo Ramirez to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday and recalled converted-reliever, Brandon Maurer. Maurer joined the bullpen in time for Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, pitching two strong innings of relief allowing only one hit while striking out four.

The roster move leaves the Mariners with a four-man rotation, meaning the team will need to make a roster move prior to Monday’s game – Ramirez’s previously next scheduled start.

All signs point to Taijuan Walker making his 2014 debut with the Mariners. In walker’s last start Tuesday night, he pitched a complete-game shutout for the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

More from Mariners News

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan

So it appears that the long wait for Mariners fans and players is just about over. Again, no official word yet, but it appears that Taijuan Walker will make his season debut Monday night in Houston as the Mariners open a series against the Astros.

According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle PI, the Mariners are also sending Jesus Montero back to Tacoma, which leaves a roster sport open for Walker. Michael Saunders could be ready to rejoin the club by Friday, so perhaps another move will be made as well.

Back to Walker, he has been the subject of multiple trade rumors, but I still hold the belief that the organization sees more than trade value in Walker’s arm and will retain him, at least for the foreseeable future.