Mariners put Taijuan Walker on DL to find out severity of foot injury

HOUSTON – The moves continue for the Mariners, who called up reliever David Rollins (who apparently should never unpack his suitcase) to take the spot of Taijuan Walker, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

They also sent catcher Mike Zunino back down to Triple-A and activated Jesus Sucre from the 60-day DL.

Walker heads to the DL to look further into what is causing his foot problems.

“We are not sure if there is something else in there or if it just needs to be totally shut down,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Walker’s injury, which was deemed right foot tendinitis. “We just don’t know where it is headed. We do know that what we are seeing is not good and not probably in his or our best interest to keep running him out there.”

Walker is scheduled to see noted foot and ankle specialist (and Carolina Panthers team doctor) Dr. Robert Anderson on Sunday in Charlotte. Walker has had X-rays and an MRI of the foot as well as a cortisone shot and medication for the inflammation in the tendon, but he has shown little to no improvement since first feeling discomfort in his start against the Rays June 14.

“I got a little bit two starts ago, but I was in as much pain,” he said. “I just happened to have good location on my fastball that day. Even when I just push off a little bit I can feel it. The more I push off, the worse.”

Walker, who conceded Tuesday night that he wasn’t helping the team pitching in the condition that he is in, is anxious to get a definitive answer on what he is dealing with and what he needs to do to get back on the hill closer to 100 percent.

“I really don’t know what it is exactly but hopefully I will see the doctor and we will get some answers and get a plan,” he said. “I don’t want to have to sit out a month and think it will help and get out on the mound and then the same thing. That’s just a waste of time. I just want to get it right. Do whatever I can that’s going to get me right so I can pitch as soon as possible.”

With Walker out, Mike Montgomery will come out of the bullpen to start Sunday. Montgomery pitched four innings after Walker came out of Tuesday night’s game.

“We stretched Monty out last night for a reason,” said Servais. “We’re probably going to go with Monty and give him the start, and he’s earned it. That’s the plan right now. It could change.”

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