Taijuan Walker Leaves Arizona Fall League

After just two starts in the Arizona Fall League, Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Taijuan Walker has ended his season and is returning home according to multiple reports.

Walker was originally thought to be pitching 25-30 innings in the AFL after missing much of the early part of 2014 with shoulder issues. But after two starts and just 9 IP, Walker is heading home.

The 22-year-old was scheduled to pitch Saturday but Stephen Landazuri started in his place, leaving some to speculate that perhaps Walker was hurt again. In his two starts, Walker allowed two runs on seven hits with two walks and 11 strikeouts.

Walker was 2-3 with an ERA of 2.61 in eight games with Seattle this season, after missing the beginning of the season with a shoulder impingement suffered during Spring Training, followed by multiple delays and setbacks.

"“Taijuan is completely healthy and was very impressive in his two outings, but made a personal decision that he needed to return home at this time,” Zduriencik said in a statement released by the club. “He will continue with his off-season program and we look forward to seeing him at Spring Training in February.”"

Walker is just one of a number of Mariners prospects playing on the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.

For updates on those players as well as the other M’s prospects playing in the other winter leagues around the world, be sure to check out our Winter League Update, every Sunday here at Sodo Mojo.