Taijuan Walker to start Thursday for Mariners; Nathan Karns to bullpen
Jun 28, 2016, 4:56 PM
There was intrigue Tuesday afternoon as the Mariners’ game notes listed Wade LeBlanc and not Taijuan Walker as the Thursday starter in the pitching probables. In fact, Walker’s name was not listed in the probables through the end of the homestand.
Turns out all is good, however. Walker, who hasn’t pitched since June 19 and left his last two starts with a nagging foot injury, will indeed start Thursday with LeBlanc getting pushed to Friday.
As for Nathan Karns, who was originally scheduled to throw that day?
“Nate Karns goes to the pen,” manager Scott Servais said in his afternoon meeting with the media.
Related: ESPN’s Jayson Stark stresses the importance of health for Mariners’ playoff hopes
Karns has struggled of late after a hot start, averaging just five innings per start over his last eight appearances, running a 6.17 ERA while allowing opposing hitters a .281 average and .827 OPS.
“Just a breather, a chance to get him back on track,” Servais said of moving him to a relief role.
Whether or not the move to the pen is permanent, it is too soon to say.
“This is about the team right now,” said Servais. “I really think he has a chance to grab a significant role down there and really help us.”
For now, the rotation in order is Hisashi Iwakuma on Tuesday, followed by a returning Wade Miley on Wednesday, then Walker, LeBlanc and James Paxton.
