Mariners’ Taijuan Walker expects to make next start despite leaving Friday with neck spasms
May 6, 2016, 9:28 PM | Updated: May 7, 2016, 7:44 pm
HOUSTON – Taijuan Walker was removed from the Mariners game against the Astros after pitching just two innings with what was announced shortly after to be neck spasms. After the game, Walker said he believed that he slept wrong Thursday night and was confident he could make his next start.
“My neck was tight, I couldn’t really turn and see the catcher, couldn’t finish my pitches, was using all arm so it was better not to push it and mess up mechanics trying to push through,” he said.
With two outs in the first inning, Walker gave up a home run to Carlos Correa. While he hit 93 and 94 mph with his fastball against George Springer, the second batter he faced, his velocity was down from what we typically see. He left the field after the second inning, head down, shaking his arm and shoulder slightly. He put his warmup jacket on in the dugout and shortly after, Mayckol Guaipe got up in the pen.
Walker reported the neck stiffness earlier in the day and had the trainers work on it throughout the afternoon. It is something he has experienced before in the minors and the hope was that he could loosen up in the bullpen.
“I give Taijuan a lot of credit, he went out there and tried to get loose in the bullpen,” said Scott Servais. “It wasn’t great there, when he got in the game it wouldn’t loosen up. I just thought it was best for his well being, his long term health and for us as well just to get him out of there. He did try to gut it out, it just didn’t happen.”
Walker’s next scheduled start is Wednesday against the Rays.
