Mariners notebook: Young ‘issue’ behind him, to start Saturday

ARLINGTON, Texas – The mystery of the Mariners’ Saturday starter vs. Texas is no more as manager Lloyd McClendon announced rather matter-of-factly that it will indeed be Chris Young.

The only test that Young had to pass was to show he was healthy. McClendon was satisfied with what he saw in his bullpen session Wednesday in Oakland, so Young gets the start Saturday and Taijuan Walker remains in the bullpen.

Following Wednesday’s game, McClendon had some rather direct comments for those who questioned his move with the pitching last week. Beyond the Bobby Knight story – which no doubt got some attention – he also dropped in a comment about one of his starters not being able to go on his assigned day in the original plans. I asked today if that was Young and he said it indeed was. He wouldn’t say what the issue was but said that it is behind him now.

So Young will make the start and Walker will be ready to go once again if needed. Walker demonstrated that he could come out of the bullpen and pitch as if it was a start, and I think that made this move a little easier, especially considering that the Rangers’ ballpark is not the friendliest for a pitcher like Young. We will see what happens, but the Mariners appear to be well-covered Saturday.

Lineup!

Austin Jackson, 8
Dustin Ackley, 7
Robinson Cano, 4
Kendrys Morales, 3
Kyle Seager, 5
Corey Hart, DH
Chris Denorfia, 9
Chris Taylor, 6
Jesus Sucre, 2

Roenis Elias

Notes

• The Rangers will start Scott Baker on Friday against Hisashi Iwakuma.

• After yesterday’s game, an emotional Felix Hernandez stated that it was a big win for him because he promised his wife Sandra a victory on her birthday. Several of you asked if anyone had a birthday in October. Turns out his dad’s birthday is in the middle of the month, so there you go. An ALCS win for the dad would be a nice present.

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