BRENT STECKER

Taijuan Walker recalled by Mariners, scheduled to start Tuesday

Aug 23, 2016, 11:51 AM | Updated: 2:34 pm

Taijuan Walker is back with the Mariners and set to pitch Tuesday night.

The Mariners recalled the 24-year-old right-hander from Triple-A Tacoma and have scheduled him to start against the Yankees at 7:10. To make room on the active roster, Seattle optioned pitcher Cody Martin to the Rainiers on Tuesday morning.

They also made a second roster change later in the day, adding right-handed reliever Tony Zych back from a long stint on the disabled list and optioning first baseman/outfielder Stefen Romero to Triple-A.

GM Jerry Dipoto: Mariners ‘really need’ Walker for stretch run

Walker was sent to Tacoma on Aug. 8, which came after he made one start following a stint on the disabled list for right foot tendinitis. He was largely ineffective in that Aug. 6 outing vs. the Angels, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while failing to strike out any batters over four innings. He made two starts with Tacoma after being optioned, the last of which saw him throw 6 1/3 scoreless innings on Aug. 18.

In 17 starts with Seattle this year, Walker is 4-7 with a 4.10 ERA, 80 strikeouts and 20 walks over 90 innings. He had a strong first month of the season, throwing quality starts in each of his first four appearances, but he made just three quality starts over his next 13 games, the last five of which came after he initially was bothered by his foot injury.

Martin, 26, is 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA over seven appearances this season with the Mariners, including two starts.

Zych, 26, was the Mariners’ hardest-throwing reliever early in the season, though he returns to a bullpen that now features flamethrowers Edwin Diaz and Arquimedes Caminero. Before hitting the DL with a shoulder injury in May, Zych had a 3.00 ERA, 19 strikeouts and eight walks in 12 innings over 10 appearances for the Mariners. He made four rehab appearances in the minors leading up to his return to the M’s, including a pair of scoreless one-inning outings for Tacoma. Zych broke into the majors last season with Seattle, posting a 2.45 ERA in 13 games.

Romero, 27, has appeared in nine games this year over two stints with the Mariners, the latest of which started last Friday. With both Romero and Dae-Ho Lee now in Tacoma, the Mariners’ options at first base are down to Adam Lind and utility player Shawn O’Malley.

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